Worth the replay?

Friday, January 2'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
    Seattle UatGonzaga
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 98 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 74

  2. #2
    Notre DameatCalifornia
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 98 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 74

  3. #3
    LMUatWashington St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 70

  4. #4
    NuggetsatCavaliers
    NBA· Prime VideoDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 69

  5. #5
    FDUatMercyhurst
    CBBDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  6. #6
    QuinnipiacatManhattan
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 90 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  7. #7
    LouisvilleatStanford
    CBB· ACC NetworkDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  8. #8
    HornetsatBucks
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  9. #9
    Michigan StatNebraska
    CBB· PeacockDown to the wire
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  10. #10
    Ohio StateatRutgers
    CBB· PeacockDown to the wire
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  11. #11
    MagicatBulls
    NBADown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  12. #12
    Golden KnightsatBlues
    NHL· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10

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

  13. #13
    KrakenatCanucks
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

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

  14. #14
    Jax StateatDelaware
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  15. #15
    Sacred HeartatNiagara
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 78 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 59

  16. #16
    Sam HoustonatWestern KY
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 78 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 58

  17. #17
    GrizzliesatLakers
    NBADown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  18. #18
    SienaatIona
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  19. #19
    Robert MorrisatDetroit Mercy
    CBB· ESPN+
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension27/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  20. #20
    C ConnecticutatLong Island
    CBBDown to the wire
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  21. #21
    FairfieldatCanisius
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  22. #22
    WagneratChicago St
    CBB
    C+
    49/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  23. #23
    MaristatSaint Peter's
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    35/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 46 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 35

  24. #24
    OregonatMaryland
    CBB· Peacock
    D
    31/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late2/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 42 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 31

  25. #25
    Wake ForestatMississippi St
    CFB· ESPN
    D
    30/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 43 × pre-game weight 0.70 (pre-game Watchability 40, estimated) = 30

  26. #26
    Mount St MarysatMerrimack
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    29/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 39 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 29

  27. #27
    San DiegoatSan Francisco
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    29/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  28. #28
    HawksatKnicks
    NBA
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 35 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 26

  29. #29
    Kennesaw StatLiberty
    CBB· ESPNU
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 35 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 26

  30. #30
    Trail BlazersatPelicans
    NBABack and forth
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

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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