Worth the replay?

Thursday, March 5'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
    Jax StateatNew Mexico St
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback19/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    BethuneatFlorida A&M
    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 96 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 72

  3. #3
    LindenwoodatSE Missouri
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    70/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  4. #4
    UC DavisatLong Beach St
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10
    Overtime+8

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

  5. #5
    Delaware StatMD Eastern
    CBBDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  6. #6
    GA SouthernatArkansas St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  7. #7
    UC San DiegoatFullerton
    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 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68

  8. #8
    Indiana StatValparaiso
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  9. #9
    MTSUatFIU
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  10. #10
    Holy CrossatLehigh
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  11. #11
    GramblingatAlabama St
    CBBDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  12. #12
    DrakeatS Illinois
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 64

  13. #13
    CSU NorthridgeatBakersfield
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  14. #14
    Sam HoustonatDelaware
    CBB· CBSSNDown to the wire
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  15. #15
    San DiegoatLMU
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  16. #16
    Louisiana TechatLiberty
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 83 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 62

  17. #17
    SC StateatNC Central
    CBB· ESPNUDown to the wire
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  18. #18
    Coppin StatMorgan St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  19. #19
    UT ArlingtonatTarleton St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  20. #20
    AmericanatBoston U
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  21. #21
    HowardatNorfolk St
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    B
    58/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  22. #22
    MichiganatIowa
    CBB· PeacockDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    55/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 74 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 55

  23. #23
    SouthernatAlabama A&M
    CBBDown to the wire
    C+
    46/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 62 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 46

  24. #24
    E IllinoisatUT Martin
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    44/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension29/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late6/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 59 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 44

  25. #25
    Miss Valley StatJackson St
    CBBBack and forth
    C
    44/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension28/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 59 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 44

  26. #26
    Kennesaw StatUTEP
    CBB· CBSSNBack and forth
    C
    41/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  27. #27
    Sacred HeartatIona
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  28. #28
    James MadisonatSouthern Miss
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    34/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  29. #29
    South FloridaatMemphis
    CBB· ESPN2
    D
    32/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 42 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 32

  30. #30
    BucknellatNavy
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    31/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  31. #31
    Prairie ViewatTexas Southern
    CBB
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  32. #32
    Western KYatMissouri St
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    25/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  33. #33
    S Dakota StatSt Thomas
    CBB
    D
    23/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  34. #34
    EvansvilleatNorthern Iowa
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    22/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings5/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  35. #35
    PepperdineatPortland
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    16/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 22 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 16

  36. #36
    Loyola MDatColgate
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    14/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings11/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  37. #37
    AR-Pine BluffatAlcorn St
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  38. #38
    ManhattanatFairfield
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  39. #39
    RutgersatMichigan St
    CBB· FS1One-sided
    D
    10/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  40. #40
    TulaneatTemple
    CBB· ESPN2One-sided
    D
    7/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings7/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  41. #41
    Utah ValleyatSouthern Utah
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    6/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension6/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 9 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 6

  42. #42
    UC RiversideatHawai'i
    CBB· ESPN+One-sided
    D
    5/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 7 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 5

  43. #43
    Oral RobertsatN Dakota St
    CBBOne-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  44. #44
    Cal PolyatUC Irvine
    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

  45. #45
    Abilene ChrstnatCA Baptist
    CBB· ESPN+One-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

  46. #46
    TulsaatEast Carolina
    CBB· ESPNUOne-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 2 × 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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