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
    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

  14. #14
    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

  15. #15
    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

  16. #16
    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

  17. #17
    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

  18. #18
    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

  19. #19
    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

  20. #20
    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

  21. #21
    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

  22. #22
    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

  23. #23
    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

  24. #24
    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

  25. #25
    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

  26. #26
    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

  27. #27
    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

  28. #28
    UNC AshevilleatPresbyterian
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension27/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 70 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 53

  29. #29
    LouisianaatTexas St
    CBB· ESPN+
    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

  30. #30
    TempleatMemphis
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    49/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 65 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 49

  31. #31
    UCFatKansas St
    CBB· Peacock
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  32. #32
    NevadaatUtah State
    CBB· CBSSNBack and forth
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  33. #33
    Arizona StatArizona
    CBB· FS1
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  34. #34
    ArmyatHoly Cross
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    44/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 59 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 44

  35. #35
    DukeatCalifornia
    CBB· ACC NetworkBack and forth
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension23/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 51 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 38

  36. #36
    AuburnatMissouri
    CBB· ESPN2
    C
    37/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  37. #37
    Sam HoustonatJax State
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    36/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension21/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  38. #38
    RadfordatGardner-Webb
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    30/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  39. #39
    UCLAatPenn State
    CBB· FS1
    D
    29/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late2/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 39 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 29

  40. #40
    IllinoisatNorthwestern
    CBB· BTN
    D
    28/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late2/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  41. #41
    S Dakota StatN Dakota St
    CBB
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  42. #42
    VanderbiltatTexas
    CBB· ESPN2
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  43. #43
    High PointatWinthrop
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    21/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  44. #44
    ColoradoatCincinnati
    CBB· Peacock/NBCSN
    D
    19/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  45. #45
    Missouri StatWestern KY
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 24 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 18

  46. #46
    ButleratXavier
    CBB· FS1One-sided
    D
    17/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  47. #47
    PacificatSanta Clara
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    16/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 22 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 16

  48. #48
    Oral RobertsatDenver
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    16/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  49. #49
    VCUatRhode Island
    CBB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    16/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  50. #50
    San Diego StatWyoming
    CBB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 19 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 15

  51. #51
    MichiganatWashington
    CBB· BTNOne-sided
    D
    13/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  52. #52
    PittatGeorgia Tech
    CBB· ACC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 15 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 11

  53. #53
    TulsaatCharlotte
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 14 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 11

  54. #54
    RiceatUTSA
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  55. #55
    La SalleatRichmond
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  56. #56
    Southern MissatTroy
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  57. #57
    UtahatTexas Tech
    CBB· PeacockOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  58. #58
    ManhattanatFairfield
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  59. #59
    South CarolinaatArkansas
    CBB· SEC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  60. #60
    East CarolinaatSouth Florida
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

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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