Worth the replay?

Saturday, December 6's games ranked by how good they turned out to be: late drama, comebacks, lead swaps and overtime. No scores, no winners, so you can decide what to watch without spoilers.

Best games of the season →
  1. #1
    Blue JacketsatPanthers
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  2. #2
    DelawareatDelaware St
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  3. #3
    Boston UatNew Hampshire
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  4. #4
    Wichita StatNorthern Iowa
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75

  5. #5
    IndianaatOhio State
    CFB· FoxDown to the wire
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.97 (pre-game Watchability 95, estimated) = 73

  6. #6
    N KentuckyatPurdue FW
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 97 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 73

  7. #7
    DukeatVirginia
    CFB· ABCOvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 72

  8. #8
    Robert MorrisatMilwaukee
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 96 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 72

  9. #9
    Saint Joseph'satTemple
    CBBDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 95 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 71

  10. #10
    Holy CrossatFordham
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 71

  11. #11
    MontanaatNorth Dakota
    CBBDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 71

  12. #12
    CoastalatWinthrop
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 92 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 69

  13. #13
    IdahoatS Dakota St
    CBBDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  14. #14
    ToledoatOakland
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  15. #15
    Montana StatOral Roberts
    CBBDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 90 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 67

  16. #16
    Ohio StateatNorthwestern
    CBB· BTNDown to the wire
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 67

  17. #17
    South DakotaatN Colorado
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 89 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 67

  18. #18
    WashingtonatUSC
    CBB· BTNDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 66

  19. #19
    Wake ForestatWest Virginia
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 66

  20. #20
    ClippersatTimberwolves
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 66

  21. #21
    Texas A&M-CCatLamar
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  22. #22
    ColoradoatColorado St
    CBB· CBSSNDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  23. #23
    SE MissouriatChattanooga
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 64

  24. #24
    BayloratMemphis
    CBB· CBSDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 64

  25. #25
    New HavenatBoston College
    CBB· ACCNXDown to the wire
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  26. #26
    UNC GreensboroatEast Carolina
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  27. #27
    UMBCatBucknell
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 62

  28. #28
    WarriorsatCavaliers
    NBA· NBA TVDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 61

  29. #29
    FL MemorialatFlorida A&M
    CBBDown to the wire
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 61

  30. #30
    OmahaatPortland St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 61

Ranked from each game's win probability as it was played (ESPN's for football and basketball; ours, from the goals, for hockey): how in doubt it was near the end, how far the winner came back from, how late it was decided, how big its momentum swings were and how often a team erased a deficit, with a bonus for overtime. That drama is then weighted by how good a matchup it was going in (its pre-game Watchability score), so a thriller between top teams ranks above an equally wild game between minor ones.

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