Worth the replay?

Wednesday, January 14'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
    Ole MissatGeorgia
    CBB· ESPNUOvertimeDown 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

  2. #2
    LehighatBoston U
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

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

  3. #3
    SC UpstateatCharleston So
    CBB· 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
    DrakeatS Illinois
    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

  5. #5
    Virginia TechatSMU
    CBB· ESPNUDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  6. #6
    ChattanoogaatWofford
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 95 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 72

  7. #7
    FIUatKennesaw St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  8. #8
    St BonaventureatSaint Joseph's
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  9. #9
    MTSUatLouisiana Tech
    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

  10. #10
    Saint Peter'satQuinnipiac
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  11. #11
    North CarolinaatStanford
    CBB· ACC NetworkDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  12. #12
    KentuckyatLSU
    CBB· SEC NetworkDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  13. #13
    NetsatPelicans
    NBADown to the wire
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  14. #14
    ETSUatW Carolina
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  15. #15
    PortlandatPepperdine
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  16. #16
    TCUatBYU
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  17. #17
    NiagaraatCanisius
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  18. #18
    CoastalatMarshall
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  19. #19
    Illinois StatIndiana St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  20. #20
    LMUatOregon St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  21. #21
    IonaatRider
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  22. #22
    IowaatPurdue
    CBB· BTNDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  23. #23
    DavidsonatG Washington
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  24. #24
    Golden KnightsatKings
    NHL· TNT/HBO Max/truTVOvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 79 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 59

  25. #25
    FurmanatSamford
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 79 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 59

  26. #26
    Sacred HeartatSiena
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 79 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 59

  27. #27
    JazzatBulls
    NBADown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 56

  28. #28
    LafayetteatBucknell
    CBB· ESPN+
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  29. #29
    ColgateatLoyola MD
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    55/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  30. #30
    UABatTulane
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

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.

Get the weekend's best games every Friday

The most watchable games across every sport, what's at stake in the playoff races, and last week's best games, spoiler-free. Free, one email a week.

Sports you care about