Worth the replay?

Thursday, January 29'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
    NC A&TatMonmouth
    CBBOvertimeDown 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
    Hawai'iatUC Irvine
    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

  3. #3
    SIUEatMorehead St
    CBB· ESPN+Down 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

  4. #4
    BryantatBinghamton
    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

  5. #5
    C ConnecticutatWagner
    CBBBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  6. #6
    North DakotaatSt Thomas
    CBBDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  7. #7
    FDUatStonehill
    CBBDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ 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) = 69

  8. #8
    William & MaryatElon
    CBBDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  9. #9
    Little RockatTennessee St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  10. #10
    James MadisonatTroy
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  11. #11
    Montana StatSacramento St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  12. #12
    LongwoodatSC Upstate
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  13. #13
    CharlestonatHofstra
    CBBDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  14. #14
    CoastalatSouth Alabama
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  15. #15
    Stony BrookatCampbell
    CBBBig comebackBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  16. #16
    NJITatUAlbany
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 62

  17. #17
    W CarolinaatETSU
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  18. #18
    Long Beach StatUC Riverside
    CBB· ESPN+
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  19. #19
    LipscombatJacksonville
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  20. #20
    SE MissouriatW Illinois
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    55/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 74 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 55

  21. #21
    MontanaatPortland St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 73 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 54

  22. #22
    UMBCatVermont
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C+
    52/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  23. #23
    UNC WilmingtonatTowson
    CBB· CBSSN
    C+
    51/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 68 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 51

  24. #24
    HamptonatDrexel
    CBBDown to the wire
    C+
    51/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 68 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 51

  25. #25
    StetsonatNorth Florida
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    51/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 67 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 51

  26. #26
    SamfordatFurman
    CBB· CBSSN
    C+
    49/100
    ▸ 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) = 49

  27. #27
    UMass LowellatNew Hampshire
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 65 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 48

  28. #28
    App StateatSouthern Miss
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 65 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 48

  29. #29
    Oral RobertsatSouth Dakota
    CBBBack and forth
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension15/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  30. #30
    E WashingtonatN Arizona
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    39/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  31. #31
    RadfordatCharleston So
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension21/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  32. #32
    Georgia StatLouisiana
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    33/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 44 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 33

  33. #33
    IdahoatN Colorado
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    D
    30/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  34. #34
    UC DavisatCSU Northridge
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    D
    28/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  35. #35
    Santa BarbaraatUC San Diego
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    27/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 36 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 27

  36. #36
    Utah ValleyatTarleton St
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  37. #37
    WoffordatChattanooga
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  38. #38
    PresbyterianatHigh Point
    CBB· ESPNU
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  39. #39
    Utah TechatAbilene Chrstn
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  40. #40
    Cal PolyatBakersfield
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 26 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 20

  41. #41
    UT MartinatE Illinois
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    19/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  42. #42
    LindenwoodatS Indiana
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    13/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  43. #43
    FAUatMemphis
    CBB· ESPN2One-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 14 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 10

  44. #44
    Le MoyneatLong Island
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  45. #45
    VMIatThe Citadel
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  46. #46
    WashingtonatIllinois
    CBB· FS1One-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension7/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  47. #47
    UNC GreensboroatMercer
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  48. #48
    LibertyatMTSU
    CBB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  49. #49
    Penn StateatNorthwestern
    CBB· PeacockOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  50. #50
    New HavenatMercyhurst
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 4

  51. #51
    North AlabamaatFGCU
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  52. #52
    Southern UtahatUT Arlington
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  53. #53
    ColoradoatIowa State
    CBB· FS1One-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

  54. #54
    Gardner-WebbatUNC Asheville
    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

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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