LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - CBS and ESPN are reportedly close to an agreement that would move first-round games of the NCAA men's basketball tournament to the cable network if a U.S.-led war on Iraq begins in the next few days.

Details of the arrangement aren't worked out yet. However, should military action begin later this week, it appears that at least some of the tournament's first-round games -- which make up the bulk of CBS' schedule Thursday and Friday -- will move to ESPN, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

TNN, CBS' sibling in the Viacom conglomerate, would probably also broadcast some games.

Should the tournament switch to cable, games will likely be spread out to reflect CBS' regional approach to covering the tournament. ESPN might air games from one region, for instance, while ESPN2 and TNN pick up action from other sites.

ESPN would not send its own announcers and production crews to the tournament; the cable network will simply carry CBS' signal.

Airing some of the games on TNN would also help ESPN solve a possible scheduling nightmare. ESPN has exclusive rights to the women's basketball tournament, which begins Saturday.