Lawrence Journal-World basketball writer Gary Bedore and Birmingham News basketball writer Toraine Norris answered questions from KUSports.com readers Friday, just a few hours before Kansas and Alabama-Birmingham face off in the Sweet 16.

Moderator: We’ll get started with our chat in just a few minutes. Thanks again to Gary Bedore, Toraine Norris and our readers for their time.

Kane: Do you think with all of this talk about UAB’s press, something has been overlooked? What other factors may contribute to UAB pulling off a win?

Toraine Norris: There has been a lot of talk about the press and mainly their shooting. The ability to shoot the ball has been overlooked in all the talk about their press. I don’t have any stats in front of me, but they’ve been shooting particularly well through the first two games of this tournament.

Robert: Gary, how is the Jayhawk’s current health situation for tonight’s game?

Gary Bedore: It’s really the same as it’s been the past couple weeks. Keith has a bad knee, but practiced yesterday. Wayne has a bad groin, but he practiced yesterday. Giddens has a bad foot, but he practiced. Hawkins has a bad back, but he practiced. Ditto Padgett with his bad foot, and Nash with his bad foot. Everybody practiced yesterday, but the team is definitely not 100 percent healthy, but adreneline should kick in like last weekend and everybody should be fine for the game.

Randy: Toraine, Do you think that UAB’s ‘defense’ will prevent KU from scoring over 70 points, since they are undefeated when scoring 70 points?

Toraine Norris: I really can’t answer that question – I haven’t seen that much of KU. They haven’t held anyone under 70 points in the first two games of this tournament but the key to UAB’s defense number one is the pressure, and what the pressure does aside from forcing turnovers is it tries to force teams to make quick decisions with the basketball. As Mike Anderson puts it, they try to get players to make basketball decisions quickly. Another fact that’s been overlooked about their defense is that they’re very good at defending the three-point shot. Not many teams have shot the three well off of them, and those that have, have usually won the game.

Kane: How important do you think it is for Jeff Graves to have a big game against UAB?

Gary Bedore: Very important. He needs to play like he did last weekend. If he continues to play like the Jeff Graves of last year’s NCAA Tournament, the Jayhawks are a different team and could easily win the national title.

Tom: Gary, do you think Kansas will beat UAB? If so why?

Gary Bedore: Yes, because KU is well-prepared for the press, where as Kentucky wasn’t. The game is in St. Louis and there will be thousands of KU fans here. Also, the Jayhawks have tournament experience while the Blazers don’t. However, nothing is guaranteed. Just ask Kentucky.

Kyle: Toraine, does UAB have a go-to guy who they will look to if the game is on the line?

Toraine Norris: Absolutely. That is senior guard Mo Finley. He hit the shot that beat Kentucky and he’s the first option in the clutch, in the final minutes for UAB. He’s averaging about 13 points per game, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but he’s actually sharing the ball more with his teammates, not taking on so much of a scoring role this year because UAB has more weapons. Last year, he averaged 18 points per game. As far as this year, his best game was a 38-point effort at Mississippi State. So, that should give you some idea of what he’s capable of on any given night.

Jodi: What will be KU’s biggest challenge in tonight’s game?

Gary Bedore: The biggest challenge will be getting used to UAB’s style of play. It will probably take KU a few possessions to be ready for that press. Everybody seems to think conditioning could be a factor since the Jayhawks are banged up and will be forced to play at a fast pace tonight. KU likes to run as well, so it could be a matchup the Jayhawks end up enjoying.

Connor: Do you think UAB will be able to handle KU’s big men and will KU be able to keep up with the high-tempo offense of UAB?

Toraine Norris: That is actually the weak area for UAB. They have struggled with bigger teams, particularly on the boards. Mississippi State’s Lawrence Roberts had a big game against them, and LSU’s Lloreda also had a big game. Both of those were early in the season. Again, as I said, that’s their weak area because UAB’s not very big. Actually, when people think of high-tempo with UAB, they’re not so much a running team as much as they’re a team that likes to score off of turnovers. Actually, UAB in the last couple of games – probably since early February – has run their half-court offense very well, but naturally they like to run.

Gary Bedore: KU’s big men have a great advantage against UAB in terms of size, so that could be a big factor. Yes, they should be able to keep up with the tempo, but it can’t all be Aaron Miles. Other guys are going to have to handle the ball and pass out of traps. They are well prepared to do so after going against a simulated press all week.

Kane: Last week Mike Lee really stepped up and played well. Can you see that happening again, especially against a team where the guards really have to be on their toes?

Gary Bedore: Yes, he is fired up for the postseason, and I could definitely see him having two more big games in St. Louis. He was solid at the free throw line in Kansas City and is focused to make his third straight Final Four.

Jeff: Do you think UAB’s pressure defense leaves them open to allowing quick, easy layups and dunks from quick players like Aaron Miles and Keith Langford (who loves slashing towards the basket on a breakaway?)

Toraine Norris: You can if you can break the pressure. You can find some holes at time in their defense. I didn’t know Miles could dunk.

Moderator: Thanks again to Gary, Toranie and our readers for their time this morning. Good luck to both teams tonight.