NCAA Basketball Scores 2012: Projections for Current Round of 64 Survivors

The NCAA Tournament is officially in full swing, and a couple of games on the first full day of the tournament are already in the books.

Louisville, the Big East champion, beat the Davidson Wildcats in a tough game by the final of 69-62. Elsewhere, Murray State ended up having little trouble dispatching Colorado State, 58-41, Kansas State won a gutty battle against Southern Mississippi by the final of 70-64 and Wisconsin took care of Montana by the final of 73-49.

All four teams have advanced to the Round of 32, and are looking to advance even further. Here's a few updated tournament projections for each of them.

No. 4 Louisville Cardinals

Louisville went into its game against Davidson knowing that its tough defense was going to be put to the test. The Wildcats were one of the top scoring teams in the nation during the regular season, and they had an upset on their minds.

In typical Louisville fashion, the Cardinals ended up doing just enough to beat Davidson. It wasn't their best effort, but the Cardinals' smothering defense got the better of Davidson's offense, and Peyton Siva came up big with 17 points and six assists.

Louisville will play the winner of the game between No. 5 New Mexico and No. 12 Long Beach State, which will wrap up in a couple hours. The Cardinals are capable of beating both teams, so it will be a disappointment if they fail to make it to the Sweet 16.

However, a trip to the Sweet 16 will likely mean a matchup against Michigan State, and that's a game Louisville won't win.

Projection: Loss to Michigan State in Sweet 16

No. 4 Wisconsin

Montana never stood a chance against Wisconsin. The Badgers' defense was great, as it usually is, and they ended up shooting nearly 48 percent from the field, including 10-of-19 from three.

Wisconsin is one of the more underrated teams in the tournament field, and the Badgers' opponents would be wise not to underestimate them. They're going to attack teams with suffocating defense, and that will give them a chance to beat anyone.

Wisconsin will play the winner of No. 5 Vanderbilt vs. No. 12 Harvard. If the Badgers happen to draw the Crimson, we'll be in for a gritty defensive battle. If they happen to draw the Commodores, they'll have to beat a hot team that just beat Kentucky in the SEC tournament.

Either team will be a tough draw. As it is, I had Wisconsin bowing out in the Round of 32 in my initial bracket, and I see no reason to change my mind.

Projection: Loss to Harvard in Round of 32.

No. 6 Murray State

The Racers had a tough time with the Rams in the first half of Thursday's game, but the second half was all Murray State. The Racers outscored the Rams 35-17 in the second half, resulting in an easy win.

It wasn't the prettiest game any of us have ever seen Murray State play, but it was able to limit Colorado State to 16-of-48 shooting. The Rams basically couldn't do anything right in the second half.

Though Murray State owned the second half, the Racers looked awfully human in the first half. Had they been playing a better team, they would not have been able to bounce back so easily in the second half.

If Murray State finds itself matched up against Marquette in the Round of 32, it will make its exit from the tournament.

Projection: Loss to Marquette in Round of 32

No. 8 Kansas State

The Wildcats never really got comfortable against the Golden Eagles, but they got a big enough lift from Rodney McGruder to come away with a victory.

McGruder was fantastic against Southern Mississippi, scoring 30 points on 12-of-16 shooting. Without him, Kansas State would have been totally doomed. 

Kansas State will play the winner of No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 16 UNC-Asheville. The Orange would seem to be the tougher opponent, but they're not so tough without Fab Melo. In fact, UNC-Asheville may actually be the tougher draw.

Regardless, I still don't see Kansas State making it out of the Round of 32.

Projection: Loss to Syracuse in Round of 32