For NCAA Officials Only ...

[BillyMac]

I'm not an NCAA official, so I don't have a dog in this fight, but I thought that you college guys would be interested in this contradictory situation that appeared in a recent IAABO Inside The Lines publication.

I'm sure that most of the knowledgeable college guys we see on the Forum already know about this shot clock rule contradiction, and know how to properly handle it, but in case one hasn't, or doesn't, here it is:

Disclaimer: Not sure if this is an NCAA interpretation, or an IAABO interpretation.

Team A has the ball in their back court for a throw in. The Game Clock is at 29 seconds. The Shot Clock is off. Thrower-In A3 throws the ball to A4 in the front court. B3 fouls A4. The game clock reads 26 seconds. Team A is not in the bonus. Team A will receive the ball at one of the four spots and the Shot Clock will be turned back on. True or false?

The correct answer is False.

Unfortunately, we have two rules that are contradicting in this play:

1. Rule 2-11.2 states that the shot-clock operator “shall use the shot clock for the entire game, including extra periods, except where there is less time remaining on the game clock than on the shot clock, in which case the shot clock shall be turned off.”

2. Rule 2-11.6.c.1 states that the shot clock operator shall, “Reset' the shot clock “to 20 seconds or the time remaining (whichever is greater)when the following occurs:
1. A personal or technical foul is assessed to the defensive team and the ball is to be inbounded in the front court;”

The application of Rule 2-11.2 is correct. Turn the shot clock off. Otherwise, Team A would never get their full 30 seconds that they are entitled to by rule. See Rule 2-11.8 for exceptions to this rule that are listed in Rule 2-11.6.d.