Mules ready for prime-time TV

~ Daily American Republic

After trips to Arkansas and Kentucky to open the season Poplar Bluff basketball fans will finally get a chance to see their Mules play tonight at home -- on the couch.

The team will be in Indianapolis, but the game with Lawrence North will be televised nationally.

"I could go to the ballgame, but I want to stay home and watch it," longtime Mules fan Sam Giambelluca said. "I also want to stay home and tape it for the [Poplar Bluff] museum. I think we need that in our archives."

Set the VCR or TiVo for ESPN2 at 6:30 p.m. today.

The Mules (3-1), defending Class 5 state champs led by North Carolina recruit Tyler Hansbrough, will be charged with halting a defending Indiana state champion featuring 7-foot junior Greg Oden.

"There's going to be a lot of different things that will make the trip fun and exciting for the kids," Mules coach John David Pattillo said. "The idea of playing in Indiana high school basketball as good as high school basketball is there, to play at Butler University ... then to get the opportunity to play on ESPN, the kids are all excited about it."