Worth the replay?

Thursday, February 26'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
    Alcorn StatTexas Southern
    CBBOvertimeDown 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

  2. #2
    New HampshireatBinghamton
    CBB· ESPN+Down 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

  3. #3
    DelawareatJax State
    CBB· CBSSNOvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  4. #4
    UC IrvineatCSU Northridge
    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

  5. #5
    New HavenatWagner
    CBBDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ 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) = 71

  6. #6
    Jackson StatPrairie View
    CBBOvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 93 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 70

  7. #7
    TempleatFAU
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  8. #8
    ElonatTowson
    CBBDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  9. #9
    Missouri StatLouisiana Tech
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  10. #10
    FGCUatNorth Florida
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  11. #11
    Tennessee StatSE Missouri
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  12. #12
    Michigan StatPurdue
    CBB· PeacockDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  13. #13
    WinthropatCharleston So
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  14. #14
    UMass LowellatVermont
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63

  15. #15
    Wichita StatMemphis
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wire
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  16. #16
    MercyhurstatC Connecticut
    CBBDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  17. #17
    N ColoradoatE Washington
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  18. #18
    BethuneatGrambling
    CBBBig comeback
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension24/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  19. #19
    E IllinoisatLindenwood
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 80 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 60

  20. #20
    UNC GreensboroatChattanooga
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  21. #21
    CampbellatDrexel
    CBBDown to the wire
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 71 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 53

  22. #22
    UNC AshevilleatGardner-Webb
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 70 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 53

  23. #23
    Hawai'iatUC Davis
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    50/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  24. #24
    Abilene ChrstnatUtah Tech
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    49/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 65 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 49

  25. #25
    Morehead StatLittle Rock
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension22/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  26. #26
    Tarleton StatUtah Valley
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    40/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 54 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 40

  27. #27
    LibertyatKennesaw St
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    C
    39/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  28. #28
    MaineatUAlbany
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    34/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 45 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 34

  29. #29
    Florida A&MatSouthern
    CBBBig comeback
    D
    29/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 38 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 29

  30. #30
    SC UpstateatRadford
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    25/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  31. #31
    Sacramento StatMontana
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  32. #32
    VMIatSamford
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  33. #33
    UC RiversideatSanta Barbara
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 29 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 22

  34. #34
    FDUatLe Moyne
    CBB
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 27 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 20

  35. #35
    Chicago StatLong Island
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  36. #36
    High PointatPresbyterian
    CBB· ESPNUOne-sided
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  37. #37
    S Dakota StatKansas City
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    17/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  38. #38
    BryantatUMBC
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension7/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 19 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 15

  39. #39
    Rhode IslandatSt Bonaventure
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    14/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  40. #40
    NortheasternatWilliam & Mary
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    14/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 18 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 14

  41. #41
    Long Beach StatCal Poly
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    13/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 18 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 13

  42. #42
    DenveratOral Roberts
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    13/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  43. #43
    UT ArlingtonatCA Baptist
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings8/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  44. #44
    CharlestonatHampton
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 16 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 12

  45. #45
    StetsonatJacksonville
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 15 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 11

  46. #46
    Tennessee TechatUT Martin
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  47. #47
    Portland StatMontana St
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  48. #48
    Stony BrookatMonmouth
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    8/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  49. #49
    UTEPatMTSU
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 10 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 7

  50. #50
    N Dakota StatSt Thomas
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings6/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 6 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 5

  51. #51
    New Mexico StatWestern KY
    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

  52. #52
    Saint FrancisatStonehill
    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

  53. #53
    N ArizonaatIdaho
    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

  54. #54
    BakersfieldatUC San Diego
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  55. #55
    NC A&TatUNC Wilmington
    CBBOne-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

  56. #56
    FIUatSam Houston
    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

  57. #57
    W IllinoisatSIUE
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    0/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 1 × 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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