MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- On Thursday, Chris Holtmann told reporters Butler had to establish the right tone against North Carolina in Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup. Had to show the Tar Heels and the world that the Bulldogs had come to brawl.

Instead, Butler left with a black eye after UNC reminded everyone of its ability to thump a team after inflicting an early wound and securing a 92-80 win to set up a powerhouse tango on Sunday between the Tar Heels and the winner of Kentucky-UCLA.

The athletes on North Carolina's blue-chip roster just keep coming.

Justin Jackson (24 points, five rebounds, five assists), the 6-foot-8 future millionaire, hit runners in the lane and made contested 3-pointers to start the barrage. Joel Berry II (26 points), bothered by a leg injury in the opening rounds, seemed 100 percent as he shifted the defense with his penetration and athleticism.

Both Isaiah Hicks and Tony Bradley drew two fouls in the first half, a crippling development for most teams. But Luke Maye (5.1 points per game and 35 percent from the 3-point line entering Friday’s game) started the matchup 3-for-4 from beyond the arc in the first half and finished with 16 points.

The Tar Heels also made it difficult for Butler to find good shots, so the Bulldogs settled for contested 3-pointers, which eventually stopped falling.

As the game opened up, the Tar Heels led by 10 points, later by 20 points and then, it didn’t matter.

But with 5:50 to play, Butler cut North Carolina’s lead to 10 points.

Another Arkansas-like scrap?

No. Just 44 seconds later, North Carolina had extended its advantage back to 15 points when Berry made one of two free throws.

North Carolina’s message after its second-round win against Arkansas prompted reasonable concerns about its title hopes. But the Tar Heels are still capable of dominating an opponent.

Butler learned that firsthand on Friday night in Memphis.