Worth the replay?

Wednesday, December 17'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
    Youngstown StatRobert Morris
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    South AlabamaatUL Monroe
    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

  3. #3
    Montana TechatMontana
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  4. #4
    VanderbiltatMemphis
    CBB· ESPN2OvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

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

  5. #5
    RichmondatElon
    CBBDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  6. #6
    North TexasatSanta Clara
    CBBDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 66

  7. #7
    StonehillatNew Hampshire
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 66

  8. #8
    GrizzliesatTimberwolves
    NBA· NBA TVDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  9. #9
    Northern IowaatUIC
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 83 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 62

  10. #10
    E KentuckyatJax State
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 80 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 60

  11. #11
    The CitadelatCharleston
    CBBDown to the wire
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 79 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 59

  12. #12
    OaklandatN Kentucky
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 77 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 58

  13. #13
    Seattle UatUC Davis
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 77 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 57

  14. #14
    Santa BarbaraatGreen Bay
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 72 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 54

  15. #15
    LongwoodatWake Forest
    CBB· ACCNXDown to the wireBack and forth
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 71 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 54

  16. #16
    DevilsatGolden Knights
    NHL· TNT/HBO Max/truTVOvertimeDown to the wire
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 71 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 53

  17. #17
    LouisianaatDelaware
    CFB· ESPN
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 71 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 50

  18. #18
    Kennesaw StatMTSU
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    49/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 65 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 49

  19. #19
    ChattanoogaatBellarmine
    CBB· ESPN+Big comeback
    C
    43/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 58 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 43

  20. #20
    Texas A&M-CCatSF Austin
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C
    43/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 57 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 43

  21. #21
    UAlbanyatStony Brook
    CBBBig comeback
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late2/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 57 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 42

  22. #22
    JacksonvilleatFlorida A&M
    CBB
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 56 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 42

  23. #23
    GeorgetownatMarquette
    CBB· FS1Big comeback
    C
    40/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late2/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 54 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 40

  24. #24
    Old DominionatSouth Florida
    CFB· ESPN
    C
    40/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension18/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 58 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 40

  25. #25
    Portland StatColorado
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C
    40/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 53 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 40

  26. #26
    CavaliersatBulls
    NBABig comeback
    D
    33/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension7/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 44 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 33

  27. #27
    James MadisonatOld Dominion
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    30/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 39 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 30

  28. #28
    KingsatPanthers
    NHL· ESPN+
    D
    29/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 38 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 29

  29. #29
    Sam HoustonatOregon St
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    27/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 36 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 27

  30. #30
    MammothatRed Wings
    NHL· TNT/HBO Max/truTV
    D
    27/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension21/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 36 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 27

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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