Timer screw up, did I handle it right?
 

8 seconds left in the first half. H makes a free throw and V rolls the inbounds along the ground. V coach hollers about the time and I look up at the clock to see that it's down to 6 seconds. No player on the floor has touched the ball yet.

I whistled the play dead, instructed the timer to put 8 seconds on the clock (the clock didn't show tenths, only seconds), and then put the ball back in play with a throw-in at the spot nearest where the ball was when I blew it dead.

Did I handle this correctly?

BITS.

I have always favored the option you chose when the clock hasn't started and someone HAS touched the ball inbounds.

However, I don't think you have the option of taking some time off the clock and moving the inbounds spot up the court because it has not been touched yet. I think going back to the original spot is the only option here.

You did the right thing by hitting your whistle. If you don't blow it dead, the horn is going to go off early and screw everybody up.

Over the years, 99% of the last-second screw-ups I have seen have been due to the clock operator. That is why I usually take a few seconds to go to the table and remind the operator to watch for the chop in a situation like this. It makes them less likely to hose the crew.

I agree with the Z-man. Put back 8 seconds, and go back to point of original throw-in. Yes, it sucks, because B can now re-assess their decision about pressing. End-of-game plays like this can have an unintentional large impact on the game.

I also like Z's suggestion about reminding the table crew that in close games, their best way to finish the game is to get the timing correct.

No.

Here we go...this one is usually good for 4 or 5 pages.

(btw I agree with you)