Worth the replay?
Wednesday, March 11'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 →- #1USCatWashingtonCBB· PeacockOvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackBack and forthA75/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings24/25Comeback17/20Decided late15/15Back-and-forth10/10Overtime+8Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75
- #2CincinnatiatUCFCBB· ESPNUOvertimeDown to the wireBig comebackA75/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings24/25Comeback18/20Decided late15/15Back-and-forth5/10Overtime+8Drama 100 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 75
- #3Prairie ViewatBethuneCBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forthB+69/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings22/25Comeback15/20Decided late15/15Back-and-forth10/10Drama 92 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 69
- #4Delaware StatMorgan StCBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireB+68/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings20/25Comeback13/20Decided late15/15Back-and-forth5/10Overtime+8Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68
- #5Missouri StatLibertyCBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackB+68/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings21/25Comeback18/20Decided late15/15Back-and-forth8/10Drama 91 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 68
- #6Oklahoma StatTCUCBB· ESPNUDown to the wireBig comebackB+66/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings24/25Comeback14/20Decided late13/15Back-and-forth8/10Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 66
- #7Loyola ChicagoatRichmondCBB· USA NetDown to the wireBig comebackB+66/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings21/25Comeback19/20Decided late15/15Back-and-forth3/10Drama 88 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 66
- #8ProvidenceatButlerCBB· PeacockBig comebackB65/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings24/25Comeback16/20Decided late11/15Back-and-forth5/10Drama 86 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65
- #9RutgersatMinnesotaCBB· BTNBack and forthB64/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension28/30Swings21/25Comeback12/20Decided late14/15Back-and-forth10/10Drama 85 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 64
- #10XavieratMarquetteCBB· PeacockDown to the wireB63/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings24/25Comeback7/20Decided late15/15Back-and-forth8/10Drama 83 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 63
- #11Fresno StatColorado StCBBDown to the wireB60/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings21/25Comeback7/20Decided late15/15Back-and-forth8/10Drama 80 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 60
- #12Cal PolyatUC San DiegoCBB· ESPN+Down to the wireB60/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings22/25Comeback7/20Decided late15/15Back-and-forth5/10Drama 79 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 60
- #13WyomingatUNLVCBBDown to the wireB59/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings23/25Comeback8/20Decided late15/15Back-and-forth3/10Drama 79 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 59
- #14SMUatLouisvilleCBB· ESPNDown to the wireB59/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings20/25Comeback6/20Decided late15/15Back-and-forth8/10Drama 79 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 59
- #15TempleatFAUCBB· ESPN+Down to the wireB57/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings20/25Comeback4/20Decided late15/15Back-and-forth8/10Drama 76 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 57
- #16Ole MissatTexasCBB· SEC NetworkDown to the wireC+52/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension30/30Swings18/25Comeback8/20Decided late14/15Back-and-forth0/10Drama 69 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 52
- #17GeorgetownatDePaulCBB· PeacockC+49/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension26/30Swings18/25Comeback8/20Decided late9/15Back-and-forth5/10Drama 66 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 49
- #18San José StatBoise StCBBBig comebackBack and forthC+46/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension11/30Swings23/25Comeback17/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth10/10Drama 61 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 46
- #19Jackson StatFlorida A&MCBB· ESPN+Back and forthC43/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension14/30Swings23/25Comeback8/20Decided late3/15Back-and-forth10/10Drama 58 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 43
- #20Santa BarbaraatUC DavisCBB· ESPN+C43/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension19/30Swings23/25Comeback8/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth8/10Drama 57 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 43
- #21Mississippi StatAuburnCBB· SEC NetworkC41/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension19/30Swings21/25Comeback6/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth8/10Drama 54 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 41
- #22IdahoatMontanaCBB· ESPN2Back and forthD33/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension7/30Swings23/25Comeback5/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth10/10Drama 44 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 33
- #23NorthwesternatIndianaCBB· BTNBig comebackD32/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension1/30Swings21/25Comeback15/20Decided late1/15Back-and-forth5/10Drama 43 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 32
- #24LSUatKentuckyCBB· SEC NetworkD30/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension19/30Swings14/25Comeback0/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth8/10Drama 40 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 30
- #25South CarolinaatOklahomaCBB· SEC NetworkD29/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension1/30Swings22/25Comeback10/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth5/10Drama 39 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 29
- #26PittatNC StateCBB· ESPN2D28/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension15/30Swings16/25Comeback2/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth5/10Drama 37 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 28
- #27TulaneatMemphisCBB· ESPNEWSD28/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension3/30Swings19/25Comeback12/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth3/10Drama 37 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 28
- #28Tarleton StatAbilene ChrstnCBB· ESPN+D23/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension13/30Swings15/25Comeback3/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth0/10Drama 31 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 23
- #29MarylandatIowaCBB· PeacockD19/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension2/30Swings16/25Comeback2/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth5/10Drama 25 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 19
- #30New Mexico StatSam HoustonCBB· ESPN+One-sidedD19/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension14/30Swings11/25Comeback0/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth0/10Drama 25 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 19
- #31CaliforniaatFlorida StCBB· ESPNUOne-sidedD19/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension1/30Swings14/25Comeback8/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth3/10Drama 25 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 19
- #32Boston UatLehighCBB· CBSSNOne-sidedD18/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension1/30Swings13/25Comeback5/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth5/10Drama 24 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 18
- #33BYUatWest VirginiaCBB· ESPN2One-sidedD16/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension5/30Swings14/25Comeback0/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth3/10Drama 21 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 16
- #34St BonaventureatLa SalleCBB· USA NetOne-sidedD12/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension0/30Swings11/25Comeback0/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth5/10Drama 16 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 12
- #35Wake ForestatClemsonCBB· ESPN2One-sidedD9/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension6/30Swings6/25Comeback0/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth0/10Drama 12 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 9
- #36McNeeseatSF AustinCBB· ESPN2One-sidedD4/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension0/30Swings5/25Comeback0/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth0/10Drama 5 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 4
- #37Arizona StatIowa StateCBB· ESPNOne-sidedD0/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension0/30Swings0/25Comeback0/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth0/10Drama 0 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 0
- #38Air ForceatNevadaCBBOne-sidedD0/100
▸ Why this grade
Late tension0/30Swings0/25Comeback0/20Decided late0/15Back-and-forth0/10Drama 0 × 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.