MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Top-seeded North Carolina shot 54 percent from the floor and buried 8-of-17 3-pointers in the first half to shoot its way past No. 4-seed Butler, 92-80, in regional final action from Memphis.
Joel Barry scored 26 points and Justin Jackson had 24 to pace the Tar Heels past the Bulldogs. UNC, the national runner-up in 2016, reached the Elite Eight for a second straight year by holding off the Bulldogs in the second half. UNC led by 20 points late in the first half, and 52-36 at intermission. Butler closed within 10, 76-66, with 5:59 to play, but never got closer. Senior forward Andrew Chrabascz led the Bulldogs with 21 points.
Gary Cohen and P.J. Carlesimo called the action on Westwood One Sports.