Right now Kentucky is the center of the college basketball universe.

The Wildcats have a new superstar head coach, three of the best players in the country and recently became the first team to record 2,000 NCAA wins.

They are 13-0 and ranked No. 3 in the country with marquee victories over North Carolina and Connecticut. Leading the program's resurgence is a triumvirate of players expected to go in the first round of next year's NBA draft -- junior forward Patrick Patterson, freshman forward DeMarcus Cousins and possible No. 1 overall pick John Wall, a freshman guard -- who are playing under two-time national coach of the year John Calipari.

But like all top-notch programs it takes more than just stars to make the Wildcats shine.

It also takes players like 6-foot-7 senior guard Ramon Harris of Anchorage, the 2006 Alaska State Player of the Year, whose role varies depending upon the situation.

Usually the first player off Calipari's bench, Harris might be asked to shut down an opposing player, go strong after rebounds, provide energy if the team is struggling or continue to keep the pressure on when the team is doing well.

"I just go in and do whatever I can. The main thing is to create a spark, whether it is on offense or defense. I'm out there to bring a little energy," said Harris.

When Harris sparked the Wildcats to an early season win over Cleveland State, Calipari took note.

"He changed the game around," he told the Lexington Herald-Leader. "... Every day I watch him, he's impressing me more and more."

This is the third time Harris has to make an impression on a Kentucky coach.

Tubby Smith recruited Harris, who won three straight Class 4A state championships with West High.

He played sparingly as a freshman for Smith, but became a two-year starter under Billy Gillispie, who took over the Wildcats when Smith moved to Minnesota.

He's getting fewer minutes now that he's a senior, partly because of the star- laden freshman class Calipari brought in. But Harris is striving to become a key cog in his third college system.

"There is a bit of a transition each time you have a new coach, but I like how things are working out," Harris said. "(Calipari) always lets players play, that's why guys love playing for him. He's just focused on what is good for the team."

Harris has played as few as four minutes a game and as many as 24 this season and averages 16.5. He has struggled shooting the ball, connecting on 33.3 percent of his shots after shooting better than 50 percent entering the season. He's had to earn his minutes with his defense and rebounding.

"I can't complain about anything since I've been here," Harris said. "It could be worse. I have a key part on a successful team. We get to play teams like North Carolina on national TV. I'm just pleased to have the opportunity and I'm trying to make the most of it."

Harris averages 4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.7 steals a game. His strongest effort of the season may have come in a 73-65 victory over Stanford, during which he contributed seven points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes. In Kentucky's benchmark win over Drexel, he played 14 minutes and scored nine points, including a crucial 3-pointer early in the game.

"When Ramon Harris hit the 3, I knew we were in trouble. I can't believe the guy knocked one down," Drexel coach Bruiser Flint told reporters after the game.

One of two fourth-year seniors on the team, Harris was excited to be a part of Kentucky's 2,000th victory.

"We just wanted to be the ones to finish it off," Harris told The Associated Press. "There are a lot of guys and coaches that were a part of this. We just happened to be the ones celebrating."

He's hoping the team can make more history in March.

"We have a goal to win a national championship. We have all the pieces that we need," Harris said.

It's already been a big year for the West High graduate. He has a 5-month-old daughter, Aubree.

"I am a big family guy. I feel like family is something everybody needs," said Harris, whose parents moved from Anchorage to Lexington during his sophomore season.

He met LeBron James at a Kentucky basketball camp this summer and then met Grammy-nominated R&B artist Drake at the team's Midnight Madness.

"I've met so many people, celebrities, that I've never thought I'd meet," Harris said. "I've had a great time here. I wouldn't change a thing."