I assume you still put the open hand up?

Stop The Clock ...
 

Because we all know that the clock operator won't stop the clock until he sees an open hand, or a fist, or a held ball signal, right?

(IAABO (International) is on a big kick to always use the stop the clock signal, especially for an out of bounds violation. Our college guys have a tough time doing that. I've never had a problem with the stop the clock signal until last year when, for some reason, I started going directly to a back court signal without stopping the clock. I pride myself on good mechanics, and it embarrasses me, but it's a bad habit that I'm having trouble breaking. And it just started last year, seemingly out of nowhere.)

No, we don't. Works for us.

Is the clock operator deaf?

Cold Beer Offered After The Game ...
 

At one of the schools in our assignment area? Yes. And those hearing impaired kids can play some really good basketball.

According to info I received outside this group - and I have great trust in the person who provided the info - there are a few reasons behind the NCAA not using PTS in the tournament:

1. Accuracy - Sometimes it doesn't stop/start the clock properly.
1a. Different systems, NBA vs. NCAA - The NBA systems use two microphones while NCAA systems use one, which can affect accuracy.
2. Dependency - Officials don't pay as much attention to the clock as they should when PTS is used because they think it will work properly all the time.

You can do the same with replay in all the games since one can fall back to going to replay at any point in the game to fix a timing mistake.

Apparently not enough to get a clock operator in San Antonio to know when the clock stops or starts. Seriously, every close game in the NCAA tournament has five trips to the monitor because of inept clock operators.

Looks like coaches are finally starting to notice:

I tell my partners this during our pregame. We also have gone away from the open-hand mechanic on a held ball. I will just blow my whistle and make eye contact before giving the signal in case they have anything. Nothing looks worse than giving the held ball mechanic while your partner is standing there with his fist up about to give a preliminary signal for a foul.

I think it's rather embarrassing (to the NCAA) that something which is rather seamless during the season is such a mess during their showcase event. The drama factor in these games, with the constant stoppages, is was less than it could be.

Which is why I use the open-hand stop-clock signal on all held balls. Whats the rush? If the players are tied up everyone knows what is coming. Plus if I have a hand and my partner has a fist, no one will notice.

I disagree with this part.

Some will, sure, but it won't be nearly as bad as if one comes up with thumbs and they have to go with a foul call.

So what's the argument against just the whistle?