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
    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

  2. #2
    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

  3. #3
    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

  4. #4
    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

  5. #5
    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

  6. #6
    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

  7. #7
    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

  8. #8
    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

  9. #9
    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

  10. #10
    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

  11. #11
    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

  12. #12
    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

  13. #13
    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

  14. #14
    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

  15. #15
    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

  16. #16
    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

  17. #17
    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

  18. #18
    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

  19. #19
    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

  20. #20
    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

  21. #21
    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

  22. #22
    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

  23. #23
    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

  24. #24
    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

  25. #25
    BayloratHouston
    CBB· ESPN2
    D
    30/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  26. #26
    North FloridaatWest Georgia
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  27. #27
    MiamiatSMU
    CBB· ACC Network
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 30 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 22

  28. #28
    LouisianaatJames Madison
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  29. #29
    StetsonatE Kentucky
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    21/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 28 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 21

  30. #30
    MarquetteatProvidence
    CBB· Peacock
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  31. #31
    VillanovaatDePaul
    CBB· PeacockOne-sided
    D
    18/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 24 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 18

  32. #32
    Youngstown StatRobert Morris
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    15/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  33. #33
    MilwaukeeatDetroit Mercy
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    11/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  34. #34
    Ohio StateatPenn State
    CBB· PeacockOne-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 9 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 7

  35. #35
    MarylandatWisconsin
    CBB· FS1One-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 4

  36. #36
    TexasatArkansas
    CBB· ESPN2One-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

  37. #37
    Cleveland StatWright St
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 4

  38. #38
    Kansas CityatOral Roberts
    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

  39. #39
    MinnesotaatIndiana
    CBB· BTNOne-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings4/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 4 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 3

  40. #40
    Loyola ChicagoatSaint Louis
    CBB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

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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