Out of Position?

[bsilliman]

Regarding Thursday night's Kentucky vs St. Johns game.

Critical throw-in and Keyshawn Prince is moving towards the endline to receive a pass which he fumbles. The ball is then touched by a St. Johns player and goes out of bounds.
The center official comes into the picture well after the ball goes out of bounds and indicates that the ball last touched Prince.

Replay shows the official not reacting to the pass in the area along his sideline--he is actually flatfooted and only glancing at the two players in his area.

Looked like he was caught unawares and it ultimately cost the Wildcats the ballgame since they probably would have been going to the free throw line after the subsequent throw-in.

It just goes to show that even the best of officials can not get the best position on a play even during a critical part of a game.