Worth the replay?

Tuesday, January 13'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
    GeorgetownatCreighton
    CBB· PeacockOvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    BradleyatEvansville
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 99 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 74

  3. #3
    NuggetsatPelicans
    NBADown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  4. #4
    Boise StatUNLV
    CBB· CBSSNOvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 97 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 73

  5. #5
    Texas A&MatTennessee
    CBB· SEC NetworkOvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  6. #6
    OilersatPredators
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 71

  7. #7
    WisconsinatMinnesota
    CBB· BTNDown to the wire
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  8. #8
    CanadiensatCapitals
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

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

  9. #9
    George MasonatLoyola Chicago
    CBB· CBSSNDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  10. #10
    SunsatHeat
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  11. #11
    UICatNorthern Iowa
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  12. #12
    LightningatPenguins
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

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

  13. #13
    ValparaisoatBelmont
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  14. #14
    BullsatRockets
    NBADown to the wire
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  15. #15
    FlamesatBlue Jackets
    NHL· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    52/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10

    Drama 70 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 52

  16. #16
    DaytonatDuquesne
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  17. #17
    UConnatSeton Hall
    CBB· truTVDown to the wire
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  18. #18
    UMassatW Michigan
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  19. #19
    Kent StateatBuffalo
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  20. #20
    W IllinoisatE Illinois
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  21. #21
    Colorado StatFresno St
    CBB
    C
    43/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  22. #22
    Saint Mary'satSan Francisco
    CBB· ESPN2
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 57 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 42

  23. #23
    Florida StatSyracuse
    CBB· ACC Network
    C
    40/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  24. #24
    VirginiaatLouisville
    CBB· ESPN2
    D
    34/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  25. #25
    MarylandatUSC
    CBB· FS1Back and forth
    D
    29/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  26. #26
    MiamiatNotre Dame
    CBB· ESPNU
    D
    28/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 37 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 28

  27. #27
    AlabamaatMississippi St
    CBB· SEC Network
    D
    28/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 37 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 28

  28. #28
    StarsatDucks
    NHL· TNT/HBO Max/truTV
    D
    28/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension21/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 37 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 28

  29. #29
    OhioatToledo
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    25/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 33 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 25

  30. #30
    VillanovaatProvidence
    CBB· FS1
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 32 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 24

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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