Worth the replay?

Tuesday, December 30'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
    USCatTCU
    CFB· ESPNOvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    83/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.82 (pre-game Watchability 65, estimated) = 83

  2. #2
    CanadiensatPanthers
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

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

  3. #3
    DuquesneatDavidson
    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

  4. #4
    Seton HallatMarquette
    CBB· FS1Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ 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) = 72

  5. #5
    76ersatGrizzlies
    NBA· NBC/PeacockOvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  6. #6
    W MichiganatToledo
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  7. #7
    San FranciscoatOregon St
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  8. #8
    Santa ClaraatPortland
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  9. #9
    PittatMiami
    CBB· ACC NetworkBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  10. #10
    SE LouisianaatIncarnate Word
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  11. #11
    VermontatPrinceton
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

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

  12. #12
    TennesseeatIllinois
    CFB· ESPNDown to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 60

  13. #13
    UMassatE Michigan
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  14. #14
    NevadaatColorado St
    CBBDown to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 76 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 57

  15. #15
    PacificatLMU
    CBB· ESPN+
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension27/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 56

  16. #16
    IslandersatBlackhawks
    NHL· NHL NetOvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 74 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 56

  17. #17
    New MexicoatBoise St
    CBB· FS1Big comebackBack and forth
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  18. #18
    CoastalatLouisiana Tech
    CFB· ESPN
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 76 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 53

  19. #19
    Notre DameatStanford
    CBB· ESPN2
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension27/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  20. #20
    CelticsatJazz
    NBABack and forth
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 63 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 47

  21. #21
    San Diego StatSan José St
    CBB· CBSSN
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  22. #22
    TempleatCharlotte
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    41/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension27/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 55 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 41

  23. #23
    Washington StatSeattle U
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    32/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension23/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 42 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 32

  24. #24
    OhioatC Michigan
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    29/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  25. #25
    Tennessee StatTennessee Tech
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    29/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  26. #26
    WyomingatAir Force
    CBB
    D
    28/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 37 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 28

  27. #27
    PistonsatLakers
    NBA· NBC/Peacock
    D
    25/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 34 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 25

  28. #28
    Miami OHatBowling Green
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension7/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 30 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 22

  29. #29
    ButleratCreighton
    CBB· FS1
    D
    21/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 28 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 21

  30. #30
    FlyersatCanucks
    NHL· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    16/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 21 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 16

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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