Worth the replay?

Sunday, March 8'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
    BruinsatPenguins
    NHL· TNT/HBO Max/truTVOvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    MemphisatTulane
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown 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

  3. #3
    Boston UatNavy
    CBB· CBSSNDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    72/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 96 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 72

  4. #4
    W CarolinaatETSU
    CBB· ESPNUDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  5. #5
    East CarolinaatUAB
    CBB· ESPN+Down 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

  6. #6
    LightningatSabres
    NHL· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    68/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth7/10

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

  7. #7
    QueensatC Arkansas
    CBB· ESPN2OvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  8. #8
    WildatAvalanche
    NHL· TNT/HBO Max/truTVOvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    67/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

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

  9. #9
    San FranciscoatOregon St
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  10. #10
    GA SouthernatMarshall
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  11. #11
    IdahoatMontana St
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  12. #12
    DrexelatMonmouth
    CBB
    B
    64/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings24/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  13. #13
    ColgateatLehigh
    CBB· CBSSNDown to the wireBack and forth
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  14. #14
    BlackhawksatStars
    NHL· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth7/10
    Overtime+8

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

  15. #15
    IowaatNebraska
    CBB· FoxOvertimeDown to the wire
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback1/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 81 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 61

  16. #16
    MaristatMerrimack
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    60/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  17. #17
    UNC GreensboroatFurman
    CBB· ESPNU
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  18. #18
    TempleatTulsa
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

    Drama 75 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 56

  19. #19
    IllinoisatMaryland
    CBB· Fox
    C+
    48/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 64 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 48

  20. #20
    HornetsatSuns
    NBA· Peacock/NBCSN
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension13/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback12/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  21. #21
    Michigan StatMichigan
    CBB· CBSBack and forth
    C
    38/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  22. #22
    CampbellatUNC Wilmington
    CBBBig comeback
    D
    33/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension3/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  23. #23
    OilersatGolden Knights
    NHL· ESPN
    D
    32/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 43 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 32

  24. #24
    North DakotaatN Dakota St
    CBB· CBSSN
    D
    28/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings10/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 38 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 28

  25. #25
    BullsatKings
    NBA
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension8/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback10/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  26. #26
    CelticsatCavaliers
    NBA· ABC
    D
    26/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension9/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback11/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  27. #27
    Idaho StatPortland St
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension17/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  28. #28
    Northern IowaatUIC
    CBB· CBS
    D
    21/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension16/30
    Swings12/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 29 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 21

  29. #29
    Hou ChristianatLSU N Orleans
    CBB· ESPN+Back and forth
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension2/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  30. #30
    KnicksatLakers
    NBA· ABC
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

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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