Worth the replay?

Wednesday, February 18'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
    ArkansasatAlabama
    CBB· ESPNOvertimeDown 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
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    Wichita StatEast Carolina
    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
    Western KYatDelaware
    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

  4. #4
    LipscombatBellarmine
    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
    S IllinoisatDrake
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack 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

  6. #6
    James MadisonatCoastal
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 69

  7. #7
    PepperdineatPortland
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  8. #8
    Ole MissatTexas A&M
    CBB· SEC NetworkDown 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 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  9. #9
    AuburnatMississippi St
    CBB· ESPN2Down 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 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  10. #10
    La SalleatDuquesne
    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 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  11. #11
    DePaulatSeton Hall
    CBB· truTVDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  12. #12
    West GeorgiaatE Kentucky
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

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

  13. #13
    LafayetteatHoly Cross
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  14. #14
    CreightonatUConn
    CBB· TNT/HBO MaxDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  15. #15
    Saint Joseph'satSt Bonaventure
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  16. #16
    QueensatNorth Alabama
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  17. #17
    TroyatUL Monroe
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 82 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 61

  18. #18
    UABatTemple
    CBB· ESPNUDown to the wire
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  19. #19
    UtahatWest Virginia
    CBB· FS1Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  20. #20
    N Dakota StatS Dakota St
    CBB
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 78 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 59

  21. #21
    St John'satMarquette
    CBB· TNT
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 78 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 59

  22. #22
    VanderbiltatMissouri
    CBB· SEC Network
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  23. #23
    NC CentralatSC State
    CBB· ESPN+
    B
    55/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  24. #24
    Saint Mary'satSeattle U
    CBB· CBSSNDown to the wire
    B
    55/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  25. #25
    Colorado StatUNLV
    CBB· CBSSN
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 72 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 54

  26. #26
    BradleyatValparaiso
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 72 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 54

  27. #27
    Kennesaw StatMissouri St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    51/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  28. #28
    CharlotteatTulsa
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  29. #29
    ButleratGeorgetown
    CBB· FS1
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  30. #30
    RichmondatDavidson
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 62 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 47

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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