Worth the replay?

Thursday, February 19'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
    FIUatLiberty
    CBB· CBSSNOvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    WagneratMercyhurst
    CBBOvertimeDown 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
    Texas StatSouth Alabama
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  4. #4
    CSU NorthridgeatSanta Barbara
    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

  5. #5
    William & MaryatCampbell
    CBBDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ 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) = 72

  6. #6
    ChattanoogaatMercer
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 94 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 71

  7. #7
    Austin PeayatNorth Florida
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ 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) = 71

  8. #8
    MontanaatIdaho St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ 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) = 70

  9. #9
    Long IslandatSaint Francis
    CBBDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  10. #10
    TulaneatNorth Texas
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  11. #11
    LongwoodatPresbyterian
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  12. #12
    UC DavisatFullerton
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  13. #13
    UT MartinatLittle Rock
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ 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) = 68

  14. #14
    LindenwoodatTennessee St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  15. #15
    NuggetsatClippers
    NBADown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  16. #16
    S IndianaatW Illinois
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  17. #17
    MarshallatApp State
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  18. #18
    PacersatWizards
    NBADown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late10/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  19. #19
    Montana StatWeber St
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

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

  20. #20
    FDUatChicago St
    CBBDown to the wire
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  21. #21
    MonmouthatUNC Wilmington
    CBBDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  22. #22
    Cal PolyatHawai'i
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  23. #23
    RocketsatHornets
    NBADown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  24. #24
    Alabama A&MatFlorida A&M
    CBBDown to the wire
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  25. #25
    Southern UtahatTarleton St
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension23/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  26. #26
    GA SouthernatGeorgia St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 57

  27. #27
    Morehead StatE Illinois
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late7/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 71 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 54

  28. #28
    DrexelatNortheastern
    CBB
    C+
    52/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  29. #29
    RaptorsatBulls
    NBADown to the wire
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  30. #30
    Le MoyneatC Connecticut
    CBBDown to the wire
    C
    45/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 60 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 45

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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