In a candid podcast appearance, the Gators coach took a veiled shot at Kentucky and the “free agency” of college basketball after losing his championship guard to the portal.
The rivalry between Kentucky and Florida just got a fresh dose of gasoline, thanks to Gators head coach Todd Golden.
Speaking on Jon Rothstein’s podcast, Golden was asked about facing his former guard, Denzel Aberdeen, who transferred to Kentucky this offseason after helping lead Florida to a national championship. His response was dripping with tension.
“It’s going to be different,” Golden began, before taking a jab at the current state of college athletics. “Denzel’s a great young man… [He] took advantage of the new world of college basketball and free agency and had a program like Kentucky, you know, that was able to come in here and take advantage…” he trailed off with a smile, correcting himself. “…give him an opportunity, both from a basketball standpoint and financially, that was probably too good for him to turn down.”
The message was clear. But Golden saved his most pointed comment for last, issuing a direct warning to his former player…