Worth the replay?

Monday, February 9'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
    CavaliersatNuggets
    NBADown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback20/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  2. #2
    Texas SouthernatBethune
    CBBOvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

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

  3. #3
    YaleatHoward
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  4. #4
    Texas A&M-CCatLSU N Orleans
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  5. #5
    JazzatHeat
    NBADown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ 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) = 73

  6. #6
    XavieratSt John's
    CBB· FS1OvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    73/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  7. #7
    BelmontatBradley
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  8. #8
    N'Western StatLamar
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  9. #9
    GrizzliesatWarriors
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 70

  10. #10
    ValparaisoatDrake
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 70

  11. #11
    ArizonaatKansas
    CBB· ESPNDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  12. #12
    Alabama StatSouthern
    CBB· ESPNUDown to the wire
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  13. #13
    C ArkansasatNorth Alabama
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 83 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  14. #14
    ThunderatLakers
    NBA· PeacockDown to the wire
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  15. #15
    BullsatNets
    NBADown to the wire
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  16. #16
    Alabama A&MatGrambling
    CBB
    C+
    51/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  17. #17
    Saint FrancisatChicago St
    CBB
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  18. #18
    East Texas A&MatSF Austin
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  19. #19
    Illinois StatEvansville
    CBB· ESPN+Big comeback
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  20. #20
    PistonsatHornets
    NBA
    C
    36/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension18/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 47 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 36

  21. #21
    76ersatTrail Blazers
    NBABack and forth
    D
    33/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  22. #22
    Delaware StatNC Central
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    25/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension7/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 34 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 25

  23. #23
    Northern IowaatMurray St
    CBB· CBSSN
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  24. #24
    S IllinoisatIndiana St
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    16/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  25. #25
    BucksatMagic
    NBA· PeacockOne-sided
    D
    16/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  26. #26
    UNC WilmingtonatCharleston
    CBB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 17 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 12

  27. #27
    Prairie ViewatFlorida A&M
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension7/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  28. #28
    UT Rio GrandeatNicholls
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  29. #29
    NavyatBucknell
    CBB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  30. #30
    Incarnate WordatSE Louisiana
    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

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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