Interpretation please...

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BryanV21

The OP says the clock read zeroes when the players rushed the court. They did not rush the court with time on the clock.

Yes, when the clock should not have run. Kind of basic here.

Originally Posted by BryanV21

The way I see it the players rushed the court due to the timer's error of starting the clock and it hitting zeroes. I don't think it's their job to go "wait, the clock shouldn't have started, so we shouldn't rush the court to celebrate."

But players and coaches should also know better. The clock does not run out because a FT was made. Kind of basic stuff honestly.

Originally Posted by BryanV21

I'm going to handle it like hilltoppanther said he would, except for making sure the coaches understand the clock shouldn't have started when it did along with the clock operator.

BTW, I'm assuming there was .3 seconds on the clock after Team B made 1 of 2 FTs, but they didn't make a basket when they tried inbounding the ball and making a quick basket.

That is fine, but they are not absolved from knowing the rules on this situation either. Not saying that is the only option, but the officials have the right to give a T in this situation.

I will give an example of something that actually happened to me.

I had a situation over 10 years ago where a quick steal and dunk with seconds that did not end the game had the team that took the lead rushed the court. The clock eventually ran out, but before the clock had run out the players were all over the court. We issued a technical foul to mainly one player that met his teammate at the lane after the dunk. This allowed the opponent to take two FTs which sent the game into overtime and the opponent actually won the game. The coach did not say a word to us or even protest. It was obvious what had happened.

So just to say, "the clock had zeros" is not enough for me when anyone that watches basketball knows the game does not end on a FT with time left in the game. That gave them an advantage to set up the defense for the other team and then win the game for sure.

My point is that this could be done either way and I would see both sides. But if someone is asking for an interpretation, then the ruling is a technical foul. What you do based on other considerations is up to you.

Peace