Worth the replay?

Thursday, January 8'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
    C ArkansasatBellarmine
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    PacificatPortland
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

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

  3. #3
    San FranciscoatLMU
    CBB· CBSSNOvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  4. #4
    MercyhurstatLong Island
    CBBDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 98 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 73

  5. #5
    Cal PolyatCSU Northridge
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ 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) = 73

  6. #6
    UC RiversideatBakersfield
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ 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) = 73

  7. #7
    New HampshireatNJIT
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  8. #8
    UC DavisatSanta Barbara
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  9. #9
    BinghamtonatVermont
    CBB· ESPN+Down 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
    MTSUatUTEP
    CBB· CBSSNOvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

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

  11. #11
    Little RockatSIUE
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ 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) = 67

  12. #12
    Saint FrancisatWagner
    CBBDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  13. #13
    Texas StatSouthern Miss
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

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

  14. #14
    UT MartinatMorehead St
    CBB· ESPN+Big comeback
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension27/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  15. #15
    App StateatGeorgia St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  16. #16
    NorthwesternatMichigan St
    CBB· BTNBack and forth
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  17. #17
    MontanaatIdaho
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 61

  18. #18
    Montana StatE Washington
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  19. #19
    UNC WilmingtonatNortheastern
    CBBDown to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  20. #20
    DenveratS Dakota St
    CBBBack and forth
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  21. #21
    North AlabamaatE Kentucky
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  22. #22
    Abilene ChrstnatTarleton St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    52/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 69 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 52

  23. #23
    ElonatNC A&T
    CBB
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  24. #24
    West GeorgiaatNorth Florida
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  25. #25
    Weber StatN Arizona
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension21/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 62 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 47

  26. #26
    Austin PeayatFGCU
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C
    45/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  27. #27
    Seattle UatOregon St
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    44/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension25/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 58 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 44

  28. #28
    William & MaryatMonmouth
    CBB
    C
    43/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension21/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  29. #29
    UL MonroeatLouisiana
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension25/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  30. #30
    Tennessee TechatE Illinois
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    39/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 52 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 39

  31. #31
    North DakotaatOmaha
    CBB
    C
    37/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  32. #32
    FullertonatUC San Diego
    CBB· ESPN+Big comeback
    C
    35/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 47 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 35

  33. #33
    LipscombatStetson
    CBB· ESPN+Big comeback
    D
    32/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 43 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 32

  34. #34
    Old DominionatCoastal
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    30/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  35. #35
    MaineatUMBC
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    30/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 39 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 30

  36. #36
    HofstraatTowson
    CBB
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  37. #37
    UMass LowellatBryant
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  38. #38
    SE MissouriatS Indiana
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    21/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  39. #39
    Chicago StatFDU
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 25 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 18

  40. #40
    Stony BrookatDrexel
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 20 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 15

  41. #41
    QueensatJacksonville
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    14/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  42. #42
    Santa ClaraatGonzaga
    CBB· ESPN2One-sided
    D
    14/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  43. #43
    Ohio StateatOregon
    CBB· BTNOne-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

  44. #44
    Utah TechatCA Baptist
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  45. #45
    DelawareatSam Houston
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  46. #46
    LibertyatLouisiana Tech
    CBB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 12 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 9

  47. #47
    StonehillatC Connecticut
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 11 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 9

  48. #48
    Idaho StatN Colorado
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  49. #49
    Tennessee StatW Illinois
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 10 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 8

  50. #50
    HamptonatCampbell
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 9 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 7

  51. #51
    Long Beach StatUC Irvine
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 9 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 7

  52. #52
    Western KYatNew Mexico St
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 7 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 5

  53. #53
    New HavenatLe Moyne
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 7 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 5

  54. #54
    PepperdineatSan Diego
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  55. #55
    N Dakota StatKansas City
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  56. #56
    Southern UtahatUtah Valley
    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

  57. #57
    RutgersatIllinois
    CBB· BTNOne-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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