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
    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

  16. #16
    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

  17. #17
    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

  18. #18
    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

  19. #19
    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

  20. #20
    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

  21. #21
    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

  22. #22
    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

  23. #23
    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

  24. #24
    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

  25. #25
    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

  26. #26
    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

  27. #27
    SC UpstateatWinthrop
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    43/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 58 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 43

  28. #28
    IdahoatPortland St
    CBB· ESPNU
    C
    43/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 57 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 43

  29. #29
    Texas SouthernatAR-Pine Bluff
    CBBBack and forth
    C
    41/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 54 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 41

  30. #30
    SIUEatTennessee Tech
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  31. #31
    UAlbanyatNJIT
    CBB· ESPN+Big comeback
    C
    35/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 47 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 35

  32. #32
    StonehillatNew Haven
    CBB
    D
    27/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  33. #33
    Arkansas StatLouisiana
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    D
    27/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 35 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 27

  34. #34
    BinghamtonatBryant
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 35 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 26

  35. #35
    South DakotaatDenver
    CBB
    D
    25/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension15/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 33 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 25

  36. #36
    Utah TechatUT Arlington
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  37. #37
    SamfordatThe Citadel
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension7/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  38. #38
    CharlestonatNC A&T
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late2/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 23 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 18

  39. #39
    IU IndyatWright St
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    17/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension14/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 23 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 17

  40. #40
    VermontatUMBC
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    16/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension14/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 21 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 16

  41. #41
    Kansas CityatNorth Dakota
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 20 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 15

  42. #42
    E WashingtonatSacramento St
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    14/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 19 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 14

  43. #43
    MemphisatSouth Florida
    CBB· ESPN2One-sided
    D
    13/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  44. #44
    Prairie ViewatMiss Valley St
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 15 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 12

  45. #45
    Alabama StatBethune
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension7/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 11 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 8

  46. #46
    UC IrvineatLong Beach St
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 11 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 8

  47. #47
    CA BaptistatUtah Valley
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 10 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 8

  48. #48
    C ArkansasatStetson
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 6 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 4

  49. #49
    New HampshireatUMass Lowell
    CBB· ESPN+One-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

  50. #50
    BakersfieldatUC Riverside
    CBB· ESPN+One-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
    HamptonatHofstra
    CBB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  52. #52
    Gardner-WebbatRadford
    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
    UNC AshevilleatHigh Point
    CBB· ESPNUOne-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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