The seven Big East schools that do not play major college football are separating from the conference many of them founded so they can build a league focused on basketball.

The presidents of the seven schools made the announcement Saturday, two days after their intentions were first reported.

“Earlier today, we voted unanimously to pursue an orderly evolution to a foundation of basketball schools that honors the history and tradition on which the Big East was established,” a statement said. “Under the context of conference realignment, we believe pursuing a new basketball framework that builds on this tradition of excellence and competition is the best way forward.”

The seven schools venturing on their own are: Georgetown, St. John’s, Villanova, DePaul, Marquette, Seton Hall and Providence.

“The institutions that have been committed to men’s basketball have made a decision that they are going to continue to stay committed to men’s basketball,” Marquette coach Buzz Williams said after the Warriors beat Savannah State in Milwaukee.

Georgetown, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Providence helped form the Big East, which started playing basketball in 1979. Villanova joined in 1980, and Marquette and DePaul in 2005. The Big East began playing football in 1991.

The basketball schools gave no details about their plans, such as when they want to depart and whether they will attempt to keep the name Big East.

ACC MEN

NO. 21 NORTH CAROLINA 93, EAST CAROLINA 87

At Chapel Hill, N.C., James Michael McAdoo scored 19 points to help the Tar Heels (8-2) hold off the Pirates (6-2). P.J. Hairston added 18 for North Carolina, which shot 55 percent in the first half to build a 16-point lead at the break.

NO. 25 N.C. STATE 84, NORFOLK ST. 62

At Raleigh, freshman T.J. Warren scored 21 points to lead

the Wolfpack (7-2) past

the Spartans (6-7),

GA. SOUTHERN 78, VIRGINIA TECH 73

At Blacksburg, Va., C.J. Reed scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half to help upset the Hokies (8-2). The Eagles (4-5) opened with an 8-0 run and never trailed, notching their first win over an ACC team. The Eagles hit 11 3-pointers.

SEC MEN

NO. 8 ARIZONA 65, NO. 5 FLORIDA 64

At Tucson, Ariz., Mark Lyons hit a contested layup with 7 seconds left and the Wildcats (8-0) rallied from a six-point deficit in the final minute to pull out an improbable win over the Gators (7-1).

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH 73, ALABAMA 54

At Richmond, Va., Troy Daniels scored 16 points and the Rams (7-3) blitzed the Crimson Tide (6-3) early with a 26-5 run, ruining former coach Anthony Grant’s return to the Siegel Center.

KENTUCKY 88, LIPSCOMB 50

At Lexington, Ky., Kyle Wiltjer had his first double-double, finishing with 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Wildcats (7-3) against

the Bisons (4-5).

OKLAHOMA 64, TEXAS A&M 54

At Oklahoma City, Romero Osby scored 19 points, Cameron Clark added a season-high 17 off the bench and the Sooners (7-2) beat the Aggies (7-2), their former Big 12 rival, in the All-College Classic.

VANDERBILT 71, ALABAMA A&M 46

At Nashville, Tenn., Kedren Johnson scored 12 of his 19 points in the second half to lead

the Commodores (4-4) past

the Bulldogs (2-6).

ARKANSAS 97, ALCORN STATE 57

At Fayetteville, Ark., Marshawn Powell scored 18 points, leading the

Razorbacks (5-4) past

the Braves (2-7).

LOYOLA-CHICAGO 59, MISS. ST. 51

At Chicago, Devon Turk scored 21 points for

the Ramblers (7-3). Fred Thomas had 14 points for the Bulldogs (3-6).

IONA 81, GEORGIA 78 (OT)

At Athens, Ga., reserve guard Curtis Dennis came off the bench cold and hit a 3-pointer from the corner to rally the Gaels (4-4) past the Bulldogs (2-7) in overtime.

STATE MEN

WINTHROP 50, OHIO 49

At Athens, Ohio, Derrick Henry scored 14 points, including the go-ahead free throw with 3 seconds left, as the Eagles (4-4) ended a 16-game home winning streak for the Bobcats (7-3).

GARDNER-WEBB 71, THE CITADEL 58

At Boiling Springs, N.C., Donta Harper scored 27 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Runnin’ Bulldogs (7-5) past The Citadel (3-5).

AUBURN 64, FURMAN 50

At Auburn, Ala., Chris Denson scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead the Tigers (3-6). The Paladins (3-6) were led by senior forward Colin Reddick’s 14 points and five rebounds.

JACKSONVILLE ST. 66, PRESBYTERIAN 59 (OT)

At Clinton, Brian Williams scored 24 points, making 6-of-10 3-pointers to help the Gamecocks (8-2) beat the Blue Hose (2-8) in overtime.