Worth the replay?

Thursday, March 12'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
    MD EasternatNC Central
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wireBig comeback
    A
    75/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10
    Overtime+8

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

  2. #2
    UMassatMiami OH
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comebackBack and forth
    B+
    69/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback18/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  3. #3
    Loyola ChicagoatDavidson
    CBB· USA NetOvertimeDown to the wireBack and forth
    B+
    66/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10
    Overtime+8

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

  4. #4
    Alabama A&MatTexas Southern
    CBB· ESPN+OvertimeDown to the wire
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback13/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10
    Overtime+8

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  5. #5
    St BonaventureatGeorge Mason
    CBB· USA NetDown to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback17/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  6. #6
    UC San DiegoatCSU Northridge
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wireBig comeback
    B+
    65/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings22/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 87 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 65

  7. #7
    NevadaatGrand Canyon
    CBB· CBSSNDown to the wireBig comeback
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  8. #8
    Bowling GreenatToledo
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    B
    63/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  9. #9
    AuburnatTennessee
    CBB· SEC NetworkBig comeback
    B
    62/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings25/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late5/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  10. #10
    LouisvilleatMiami
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wireBig comeback
    B
    61/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings19/25
    Comeback14/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  11. #11
    CreightonatSeton Hall
    CBB· PeacockDown to the wire
    B
    59/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings23/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late9/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  12. #12
    IowaatOhio State
    CBB· BTNDown to the wire
    B
    57/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  13. #13
    TCUatKansas
    CBB· ESPN2Down to the wireBack and forth
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late8/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  14. #14
    Florida StatDuke
    CBB· ESPNBack and forth
    B
    56/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings20/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  15. #15
    KentuckyatMissouri
    CBB· SEC NetworkDown 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

  16. #16
    Ole MissatGeorgia
    CBB· SEC NetworkDown to the wire
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  17. #17
    BYUatHouston
    CBB· ESPN2
    C+
    54/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late13/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  18. #18
    AR-Pine BluffatSouthern
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    53/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings18/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 71 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 53

  19. #19
    FAUatNorth Texas
    CBB· ESPNUDown to the wire
    C+
    52/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late12/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 70 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 52

  20. #20
    BuffaloatAkron
    CBB· ESPN+Down to the wire
    C+
    51/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

    Drama 69 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 51

  21. #21
    Kennesaw StatWestern KY
    CBB· ESPN+
    C+
    47/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late14/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 62 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 47

  22. #22
    GeorgetownatVillanova
    CBB· FS1Big comeback
    C+
    46/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension18/30
    Swings21/25
    Comeback16/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  23. #23
    WashingtonatWisconsin
    CBB· BTNDown to the wire
    C+
    46/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  24. #24
    G WashingtonatFordham
    CBB· USA Net
    C
    44/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension30/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  25. #25
    Abilene ChrstnatUtah Tech
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    42/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension27/30
    Swings14/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late15/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  26. #26
    Southern UtahatUT Arlington
    CBB· ESPN+
    C
    40/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension25/30
    Swings13/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late11/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 54 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 40

  27. #27
    NC StateatVirginia
    CBB· ESPN2Back and forth
    C
    37/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension18/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback5/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth10/10

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

  28. #28
    SC StateatNorfolk St
    CBB· ESPN+Big comeback
    D
    33/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback15/20
    Decided late1/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  29. #29
    OhioatKent State
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    33/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension19/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth8/10

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

  30. #30
    Rhode IslandatDuquesne
    CBB· USA Net
    D
    31/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension20/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late4/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 41 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 31

  31. #31
    ClemsonatNorth Carolina
    CBB· ESPN
    D
    31/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension15/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback7/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

    Drama 41 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 31

  32. #32
    UC DavisatFullerton
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    29/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension11/30
    Swings17/25
    Comeback6/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 39 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 29

  33. #33
    MTSUatLouisiana Tech
    CBB· ESPN+
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension12/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback3/20
    Decided late3/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 33 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 24

  34. #34
    TulaneatCharlotte
    CBB· ESPNU
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension5/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback9/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  35. #35
    Colorado StatSan Diego St
    CBB· CBSSN
    D
    24/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension10/30
    Swings15/25
    Comeback2/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

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

  36. #36
    Iowa StateatTexas Tech
    CBB· ESPN
    D
    20/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings16/25
    Comeback8/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  37. #37
    OklahomaatTexas A&M
    CBB· SEC NetworkOne-sided
    D
    12/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings9/25
    Comeback4/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  38. #38
    RutgersatUCLA
    CBB· BTNOne-sided
    D
    9/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension4/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth5/10

    Drama 11 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 9

  39. #39
    UNLVatUtah State
    CBB· CBSSNOne-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

  40. #40
    San José StatNew Mexico
    CBB· CBSSNOne-sided
    D
    4/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings3/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth3/10

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

  41. #41
    ProvidenceatSt John's
    CBB· PeacockOne-sided
    D
    3/100
    ▸ 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) = 3

  42. #42
    NorthwesternatPurdue
    CBB· BTNOne-sided
    D
    2/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings2/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

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

  43. #43
    UCFatArizona
    CBB· ESPNOne-sided
    D
    1/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension1/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 1 × pre-game weight 0.75 (pre-game Watchability 50, estimated) = 1

  44. #44
    XavieratUConn
    CBB· FS1One-sided
    D
    0/100
    ▸ Why this grade
    Late tension0/30
    Swings0/25
    Comeback0/20
    Decided late0/15
    Back-and-forth0/10

    Drama 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.

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