Jordan Brand Classic 2012: Top College Programs Represented in the Classic

'Tis the season for All-Star games featuring the top high school ballers in the country.

A couple weeks ago, we saw the top players in the nation take part in the McDonald's All-American Game. On Saturday, the top players will reconvene to play in the Jordan Brand Classic in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Most of the game's participants (see above link) have already decided on where they will be playing college ball. Some of them are going to be teammates at top programs a few months down the road.

Here's a rundown of the top college programs that will be represented in the Jordan Brand Classic.

Note: complete lists of recruits and their college choices can be found on ESPN.com and Rivals.com.

Providence

Recruits: Kris Dunn, Ricardo Ledo

When you think of college basketball powerhouses, you don't think of Providence. The Friars haven't even been to the NCAA tourney since 2004.

But Ed Cooley clearly has plans for Providence's hoops program. Out of nowhere, he's gone out and put together a recruiting class that ESPN has deemed to be the sixth-best class in the country.

Both of Cooley's top recruits, Kris Dunn (PG) and Ricardo Ledo (SG), will be in action in the Jordan Brand Classic. The two of them will form a dynamic backcourt at Providence, and they'll provide a sneak peak of how well they can work together in the Classic.

North Carolina

Recruits: Brice Johnson, J.P. Tokoto, Marcus Paige

Roy Williams has a reputation for being one of the top recruiters in the history of college basketball, so nobody should be surprised that he's gone out and put together yet another solid recruiting class.

Three of UNC's recruits will be in action in the Classic. Brice Johnson, a power forward with tremendous athleticism, and J.P. Tokoto, a long-limbed small forward, will play for the East squad. Marcus Paige, a point guard, will play for the West squad.

Paige is the best of the three. He's not unlike Kendall Marshall in that he's a lefty who shows great intelligence out on the court, and he's already pretty well-developed as a scorer.

In no time at all, these three will be dealing with the pressure that comes with wearing Carolina blue.

UCLA

Recruits: Shabazz Muhammad, Kyle Anderson

Ben Howland and the UCLA basketball program have risen from the ashes. 

After a tough season marred by controversy, Howland has gone out and secured two of the best recruits in the nation in Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson. Muhammad is the best scorer in the nation, and Anderson has the skills to be an excellent point forward down the line.

It's too bad Muhammad and Anderson will be on different teams in the Classic, as Anderson will be playing for the East and Muhammad will be playing for the West. Once they get to UCLA, though, the Bruins will be feared in the Pac-12.

Arizona

Recruits: Kaleb Tarczweski, Brandon Ashley, Grant Jerrett

The Bruins are getting all the latest buzz, but Sean Miller has one of the best recruiting classes in the country coming to Arizona.

ESPN has Miller's 2012 recruiting class ranked second in the nation, and three of its members will be in action in the Classic. Kaleb Tarczweski is a true seven-footer who will be a nightmare for Pac-12 teams, and forwards Brandon Ashley and Grant Jerrett will complete a very talented frontcourt. Tarczweski will be on the East squad in the classic and Ashley and Jerrett will be on the West squad.

The Bruins are a team to fear in the Pac-12, but so are the Wildcats. The conference's reputation has gotten a boost this offseason.

Kentucky

Recruits: Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress, Nerlens Noel

Another year, another No. 1 recruiting class for John Calipari.

Calipari already had a top recruiting class, but it became the best recruiting class on Tuesday when he secured (see ESPN.com) Nerlens Noel, who is basically this year's Anthony Davis. He'll be playing in the East squad in this game.

The West squad will have shooting guard Archie Goodin and small forward Aley Poythress, both of whom boast outstanding talent.

A year from now, these three will likely be moving the Wildcats towards a second straight national championship.