NCAA Bracket Update: North Carolina Advances To Elite 8, Routs Marquette

North Carolina has advanced to the Elite 8 of the East Region of the NCAA bracket in dominating fashion. The Tar Heels jumped ahead of Marquette early and often, building a 40-15 halftime lead and eventually winning 81-63 in a game that was probably not that close.

The Tar Heels led by as many as 32 points early in the second half, as Marquette was unable to hit anything early on. After shooting just 20 percent in the first half with 12 turnovers, Marquette made a bit of a rally late, cutting the lead to 14 at one point, but it was too little too late.

Tyler Zeller scored 27 points to lead the way for North Carolina, while Harrison Barnes added 20 and John Henson contributed with 14 points and 12 rebounds. North Carolina next faces the winner of the game between Ohio State and Kentucky in the East Region final on Sunday.

For more on the game, Tar Heel fans should celebrate on Carolina March, while Marquette fans should head to Anonymous Eagle.

EAST REGION
No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Kentucky, Friday at 9:45 p.m. on CBS
No. 2 UNC def. No. 11 Marquette, 81-63.

WEST REGION
No. 5 Arizona Wildcats def. No. 1 Duke Blue Devils, 99-77
No. 3 Connecticut Huskies def. No. 2 San Diego State, 74-67

SOUTHWEST REGION
No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 12 Richmond Spiders, Friday at 7:27 p.m. on TBS
No. 10 Florida State Seminoles vs. No. 11 VCU Rams, Friday at 9:57 p.m. on TBS

SOUTHEAST REGION
No. 8 Butler def. No. 4 Wisconsin, 61-54
No. 2 Florida def. No. 3 BYU. Thursday, 84-73

More 2011 March Madness resources: Visit our NCAA Tournament hub for up-to-date news and information ... updated printable NCAA Tournament bracket.

Check the full NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 schedule, and see predictions and previews for each game.