Worth the replay?

Thursday, January 1'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
    GA SouthernatCoastal
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    Portland StatWeber St
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  3. #3
    StetsonatNorth Alabama
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  4. #4
    FGCUatC Arkansas
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ 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) = 72

  5. #5
    ChattanoogaatUNC Greensboro
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  6. #6
    OaklandatYoungstown St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  7. #7
    UC San DiegoatCal Poly
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  8. #8
    E KentuckyatQueens
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  9. #9
    Murray StatUIC
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 64

  10. #10
    IU IndyatN Kentucky
    CBB· ESPN+Big comeback
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension27/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  11. #11
    Utah ValleyatTarleton St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 83 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  12. #12
    W IllinoisatUT Martin
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  13. #13
    SamfordatVMI
    CBB· ESPN+
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  14. #14
    BellarmineatWest Georgia
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  15. #15
    E IllinoisatSE Missouri
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    49/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 66 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 49

  16. #16
    CA BaptistatUT Arlington
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 64 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 48

  17. #17
    MilwaukeeatWright St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    46/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 61 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 46

  18. #18
    ValparaisoatS Illinois
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  19. #19
    BradleyatBelmont
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    41/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension22/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  20. #20
    Oral RobertsatNorth Dakota
    CBB
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  21. #21
    Green BayatPurdue FW
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    34/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 45 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 34

  22. #22
    S IndianaatSIUE
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    34/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension22/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 45 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 34

  23. #23
    Indiana StatNorthern Iowa
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    32/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension18/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  24. #24
    CSU NorthridgeatUC Davis
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    D
    27/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  25. #25
    N ColoradoatMontana St
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 34 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 26

  26. #26
    N ArizonaatMontana
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 31 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 23

  27. #27
    Tennessee TechatLittle Rock
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 30 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 23

  28. #28
    Utah TechatAbilene Chrstn
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  29. #29
    Morehead StatLindenwood
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 29 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 22

  30. #30
    OmahaatS Dakota St
    CBB
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 29 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 22

  31. #31
    Santa BarbaraatFullerton
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 26 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 20

  32. #32
    North FloridaatAustin Peay
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    19/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 26 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 19

  33. #33
    UC IrvineatBakersfield
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 15 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 12

  34. #34
    Sacramento StatIdaho St
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 14 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 11

  35. #35
    EvansvilleatIllinois St
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 13 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 10

  36. #36
    Southern MissatUL Monroe
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 11 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 8

  37. #37
    Hawai'iatUC Riverside
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 4

  38. #38
    JacksonvilleatLipscomb
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 4 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 3

  39. #39
    ElmsatDartmouth
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    0/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 0 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 0

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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