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
    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

  2. #2
    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

  3. #3
    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

  4. #4
    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

  5. #5
    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

  6. #6
    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

  7. #7
    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

  8. #8
    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

  9. #9
    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

  10. #10
    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

  11. #11
    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

  12. #12
    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

  13. #13
    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

  14. #14
    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

  15. #15
    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

  16. #16
    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

  17. #17
    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

  18. #18
    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

  19. #19
    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

  20. #20
    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

  21. #21
    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

  22. #22
    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

  23. #23
    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

  24. #24
    SMUatClemson
    CBB· ESPNU
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension21/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  25. #25
    AlabamaatVanderbilt
    CBB· ESPN2
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  26. #26
    Grand CanyonatBoise St
    CBB· FS1
    C
    37/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 49 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 37

  27. #27
    LongwoodatUNC Asheville
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    36/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension23/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 48 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 36

  28. #28
    FurmanatChattanooga
    CBB· CBSSN
    C
    36/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 48 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 36

  29. #29
    Iowa StateatBaylor
    CBB· Peacock
    D
    35/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension18/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  30. #30
    George MasonatFordham
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    34/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 46 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 34

  31. #31
    Holy CrossatLehigh
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    33/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension22/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 45 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 33

  32. #32
    Murray StatEvansville
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    30/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 40 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 30

  33. #33
    S IllinoisatUIC
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    30/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 40 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 30

  34. #34
    RichmondatSt Bonaventure
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  35. #35
    BelmontatNorthern Iowa
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    25/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  36. #36
    OklahomaatMississippi St
    CBB· SEC Network
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  37. #37
    Missouri StatKennesaw St
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  38. #38
    East CarolinaatTemple
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    19/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  39. #39
    Boston UatLafayette
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    17/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 23 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 17

  40. #40
    DavidsonatLoyola Chicago
    CBB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    16/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  41. #41
    TroyatArkansas St
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    14/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 19 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 14

  42. #42
    IndianaatMaryland
    CBB· BTNOne-sided
    D
    14/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 18 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 14

  43. #43
    CharlotteatUTSA
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    13/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 17 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 13

  44. #44
    BucknellatNavy
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 13 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 9

  45. #45
    UNC GreensboroatWofford
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 8 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 6

  46. #46
    South DakotaatSt Thomas
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 6 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 5

  47. #47
    CaliforniaatVirginia
    CBB· ACC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 6 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 5

  48. #48
    DrakeatBradley
    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

  49. #49
    WashingtonatPurdue
    CBB· BTNOne-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  50. #50
    VMIatETSU
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 3 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 2

  51. #51
    Kansas StatArizona
    CBB· FS1One-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

  52. #52
    Arizona StatBYU
    CBB· Peacock/NBCSNOne-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

  53. #53
    Gardner-WebbatHigh Point
    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

  54. #54
    The CitadelatMercer
    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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