Worth the replay?

Wednesday, January 7'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
    RaptorsatHornets
    NBADown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  2. #2
    JazzatThunder
    NBAOvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  3. #3
    SharksatKings
    NHL· 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

  4. #4
    UConnatProvidence
    CBB· Peacock/NBCSNOvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

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

  5. #5
    DuquesneatSaint Joseph's
    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

  6. #6
    MagicatNets
    NBAOvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

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

  7. #7
    Loyola MDatArmy
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  8. #8
    MissouriatKentucky
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  9. #9
    MiamiatWake Forest
    CBB· ESPNUDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 70

  10. #10
    AmericanatColgate
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  11. #11
    RiceatWichita St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 69

  12. #12
    W CarolinaatSamford
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  13. #13
    StanfordatVirginia Tech
    CBB· ACC NetworkDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  14. #14
    Charleston SoatWinthrop
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  15. #15
    Illinois StatValparaiso
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  16. #16
    Purdue FWatYoungstown St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  17. #17
    South FloridaatNorth Texas
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  18. #18
    NuggetsatCeltics
    NBA· ESPNDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  19. #19
    CreightonatVillanova
    CBB· PeacockBig comeback
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  20. #20
    RocketsatTrail Blazers
    NBADown to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  21. #21
    FAUatUAB
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  22. #22
    Saint LouisatVCU
    CBB· CBSSNDown to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 57

  23. #23
    FIUatJax State
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    55/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 73 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 55

  24. #24
    XavieratMarquette
    CBB· FS1Down to the wire
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  25. #25
    MarshallatJames Madison
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  26. #26
    BullsatPistons
    NBA
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 63 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 48

  27. #27
    UtahatColorado
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    45/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 60 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 45

  28. #28
    PresbyterianatRadford
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    43/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  29. #29
    La SalleatRhode Island
    CBB· ESPN+Big comeback
    C
    43/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension14/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  30. #30
    ArkansasatOle Miss
    CBB· SEC Network
    C
    40/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension25/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

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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