Worth the replay?

Wednesday, January 21'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
    LafayetteatBoston U
    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

  2. #2
    ArmyatBucknell
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown 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

  3. #3
    FurmanatThe Citadel
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

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

  4. #4
    Cleveland StatWright St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 98 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 74

  5. #5
    XavieratCreighton
    CBB· FS1Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    74/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 98 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 74

  6. #6
    ETSUatChattanooga
    CBB· ESPNU/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
    San Diego StatGrand Canyon
    CBB· FS1Down 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
    FlyersatMammoth
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

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

  9. #9
    TroyatOld Dominion
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  10. #10
    RadfordatWinthrop
    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

  11. #11
    Rhode IslandatRichmond
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  12. #12
    Indiana StatBradley
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 90 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  13. #13
    PittatBoston College
    CBB· ACC NetworkDown to the wire
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  14. #14
    FordhamatDavidson
    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

  15. #15
    TempleatRice
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  16. #16
    South DakotaatOmaha
    CBBDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  17. #17
    SamfordatWofford
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  18. #18
    Utah ValleyatSouthern Utah
    CBB· ESPN+Big comeback
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  19. #19
    HawksatGrizzlies
    NBADown to the wire
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  20. #20
    DaytonatLa Salle
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 84 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  21. #21
    MemphisatTulsa
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  22. #22
    Virginia TechatSyracuse
    CBB· ACC NetworkBig comeback
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  23. #23
    DucksatAvalanche
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

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

  24. #24
    NorthwesternatUSC
    CBB· BTNDown to the wire
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  25. #25
    Tarleton StatUT Arlington
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 78 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 58

  26. #26
    Red WingsatMaple Leafs
    NHL· TNT/HBO Max/truTVOvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

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

  27. #27
    ColgateatAmerican
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  28. #28
    LibertyatWestern KY
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  29. #29
    Purdue FWatDetroit Mercy
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    52/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension21/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  30. #30
    TexasatKentucky
    CBB· SEC Network
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

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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