Call it puppy love.

Las Vegas bettors have been tripping over themselves the past couple days to embrace dogs in the opening round of this year's NCAA Tournament.

By Tuesday, the two biggest Stardust line moves had been on Thursday underdogs.

Race and Sports Book night shift supervisor Eric Viggio, however, expected players to switch gears and loyalties by Wednesday night, when March Madness enthusiasts start pouring in to wager on the Dukes, North Carolinas and UCLAs that have dominated college basketball through the years.

"That's what usually happens," Viggio declared, which is another way of saying early wise guy dollars go on the pooches and late public money to teams laying the lumber.

Compared to the bustling beehive it'll be Thursday morning when throngs jam it to pickle-jar status for the tourney's tipoff, the fabled Strip bet shop resembled a Nevada ghost town Sunday evening when opening lines simultaneously were posted in the Silver State and offshore.

The daily Las Vegas Review-Journal said only five players were present for Sunday night's Stardust lottery; on NFL Sundays, it's packed.

According to the newspaper and Stardust Race and Sports Director Bob Scucci, the wagering limit was $2,000 and the first 16 bets were on underdogs.

"They take the underdog and then you know you're at the right number," Scucci said.

"When the main crowds get here, they're going to be playing teams from the Big East and Big Ten, not the teams the wise guys bet today."

Major line moves have been on Memphis-Oral Roberts and Tennessee-Winthrop.

The Tigers, one of four top seeds, opened as 16-point choices against the 16th-seeded Golden Eagles and the number had dropped to 13.

Fifteenth-seeded Winthrop is getting the action versus the No. 2-seeded Volunteers, driving the line from 9 1/2 to 7.

"That's about it," Viggio said. "Nothing huge."

Friday's card featured one flop; Cal went from a 1-point favorite over North Carolina State to a 1-point dog.

The Stardust during March Madness is like old New Orleans.

You want to say you were there at least once, though many hoops fans have returned for years and the event has become a family reunion of sorts, particularly for those who congregate in nearby RV parks.

The 'Dust book will have special appeal for many in what could be a record number of Big Dance opening-day visitors; the legendary resort is being razed later this year and replaced by something called Echelon Place.

Elsewhere, the Las Vegas Hilton also reported plenty of early pup action.

"Just like last year," SuperBook supervisor and oddsmaker Jeff Sherman observed.

"I like a few dogs myself.

"I like Northwestern State to hang with Iowa, Texas A&M to knock off Syracuse and Oral Roberts to keep it close against Memphis."

Lynda Collins is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of her articles at http://www.procappers.com/Lynda_Collins.htm