Georgia Tech | Tales from the Bench 2004 Final Four (with David Nelson)

Iconic Seasons | Hardwood History | College Basketball

Tales from the Bench: Georgia Tech 2004

The latest installment of “Tales from the Bench” on the 19nine podcast features David Nelson, a senior walk-on who was a part of Georgia Tech’s memorable run to the 2004 NCAA Championship game against UConn.
Alongside The Chucker, 19nine’s resident historian, Nelson discusses his journey to becoming a three-year member of the Tech program, his first impressions of big-time college basketball and Chris Bosh, how losing prompts winning, Jarret Jack’s artistry, Will Bynum’s supreme confidence, and just how bright the lights are on college basketball’s biggest stage.
The rundown…

• Nelson’s journey to becoming a walk-on at Tech (3:00)
• His initial impressions of big-time college basketball and first year with the Tech program (7:00)
• Nelson’s “Whoa!” moment with Chris Bosh (14:00)
• Why Tech’s 16-15 season in 2002-2003 with Bosh wasn’t a disappointment (17:00)
• Expectations heading into the 2003-2004, one that would end in the Final Four (21:00)
• Thumping #1 UConn at Madison Square Garden in an early-season matchup (24:00)
• Nelson’s role as a senior walk-on (25:00)
• Why an ACC Tournament loss to Duke felt different (27:00)
• Tech’s run into March Madness and Jarret Jack’s coming-out party against Kansas in the Elite Eight (29:00)
• Tech’s tangle with Oklahoma State in the Final Four and Will Bynum’s green light (33:00)
• Why Nelson and his teammates were disappointed to see UConn beat Duke on the other side of the Final Four bracket (40:00)
• The bright lights of the national championship game and losing to UConn (42:00)
• What Nelson took away from his experience as a three-year walk-on at Tech (46:00)
• Who Nelson considers the wildest fans in the ACC (50:00)
• The Duke mystique: fact or fiction? (51:00)
• Why Carmelo Anthony was the sickest player he ever saw up close (54:00)

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