Todd Golden gets exactly what he deserves thanks to a former Kentucky target

Let’s be honest: tonight has been a miserable one for Big Blue Nation. Seeing Mark Pope and Kentucky get absolutely dominated by Iowa State was not fun. But as they say, the show must go on. And what a show Iowa just put on, providing some sweet relief for Kentucky basketball fans.

Tonight, that relief came courtesy of the Florida Gators and their early exit from the tournament. And for Kentucky fans who have had to listen to Todd Golden’s snarky comments and supreme confidence, the way Florida was sent packing felt like poetic justice.

Karma catches up to Todd Golden

In the SEC, you have to back up your talk in March. Todd Golden has never been shy about running his mouth or carrying a certain level of arrogance on the sidelines, often acting like he has the entire conference figured out.

He is a winner, you get to do that when you win. But now he gets to see the other end of it.

When the lights got bright and the margin for error evaporated, Golden’s squad folded like a Thanksgiving table on Black Friday.

For a coach who has happily thrown shade and reveled in the misery of his rivals, watching his own team completely unravel on the national stage is the exact kind of karma college basketball fans live for. Remember when he said this gem?

He isn't wrong, Kentucky was terrible this year. But now he gets to do the same thing Mark Pope gets to do, go home.

Here is where the story goes from everyone liking Todd Golden getting some poetic justice, to a cruel twist.

The player who stepped up and delivered the final blow to Golden’s season wasn't just a random opponent; it was Alvaro Folgueiras. That name should sound familiar to you.

Folgueiras was an early target for Mark Pope in the Transfer Portal before the Wildcats ultimately pivoted away to bring in Mo Dioubate.

Folgueiras was a prototype Pope player. And for whatever reason, Pope went away from that, though no official reason was ever given.

Golden got a little taste of what he deserved; it was a former Kentucky prospect to deliver the message, so it wasn't all good news. It doesn't erase the sting of the Wildcats' own exit, but it certainly makes the night end on a slightly sweeter note.

Unless you had Florida in your bracket, in which case, I am sorry. But seeing the Iowa players doing the Gator chomp is something I will always remember.