Worth the replay?

Wednesday, March 4'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
    Maple LeafsatDevils
    NHL· ESPN+/HuluOvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    E IllinoisatSIUE
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBack 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

  3. #3
    Saint Joseph'satDavidson
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ 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) = 71

  4. #4
    Golden KnightsatRed Wings
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    71/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

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

  5. #5
    Gardner-WebbatSC Upstate
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  6. #6
    Jazzat76ers
    NBADown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  7. #7
    RiceatNorth Texas
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  8. #8
    JacksonvilleatBellarmine
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  9. #9
    UABatCharlotte
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  10. #10
    St BonaventureatG Washington
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 79 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 60

  11. #11
    WagneratC Connecticut
    CBBDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  12. #12
    StonehillatLe Moyne
    CBBDown to the wire
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  13. #13
    FordhamatLa Salle
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  14. #14
    PurdueatNorthwestern
    CBB· BTNDown to the wire
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  15. #15
    N KentuckyatOakland
    CBB· ESPN+
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension26/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 77 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 58

  16. #16
    Trail BlazersatGrizzlies
    NBA
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  17. #17
    StanfordatNotre Dame
    CBB· ESPNU
    C+
    55/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  18. #18
    ThunderatKnicks
    NBA· ESPNDown to the wire
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  19. #19
    Old DominionatGA Southern
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  20. #20
    Little RockatLindenwood
    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 66 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 49

  21. #21
    Colorado StatNew Mexico
    CBB· CBSSN
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 65 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 48

  22. #22
    North AlabamaatFGCU
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    46/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 61 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 46

  23. #23
    Chicago StatLong Island
    CBB
    C
    45/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  24. #24
    FDUatMercyhurst
    CBB
    C
    44/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 58 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 44

  25. #25
    Florida StatPitt
    CBB· ACC Network
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension23/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  26. #26
    DuquesneatRhode Island
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    37/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 50 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 37

  27. #27
    CaliforniaatGeorgia Tech
    CBB· ESPNU
    C
    36/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension15/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 49 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 36

  28. #28
    HawksatBucks
    NBA· ESPN
    D
    33/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  29. #29
    USCatWashington
    CBB· BTN
    D
    31/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 42 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 31

  30. #30
    CreightonatButler
    CBB· FS1
    D
    30/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 40 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 30

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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