30-0. It’s been a hush-hush subject the entire year.

No one really wanted to buy into it. The Illini had to lose to someone. Somewhere.

But after beating No. 12 Michigan State 81-68, the No. 1, unbeaten Illini are on the verge of an undefeated regular season.

They are already at 22 wins.

The whited-out Izzone couldn’t take down the Smilin’ Illini – even though they had plenty of opportunities.

Illinois played sloppily in the first half.

Michigan State never went away.

Dee Brown gets a technical foul in the final three minutes.

Illinois could have unraveled. Numerous times.

Illinois didn’t.

The Smilin’ Illini refused to lose.

Just like they have all year.

Just like Brown refused to sulk after getting a questionable technical.

Fifteen seconds after the foul, Brown converted on a three-point play and apologized to Spartan guard Tim Bograkos for hitting him with the elbow.

For every Michigan State run – or run by any opponent – Illinois has had an answer.

Usually in the form of a three.

At Wisconsin, Rich McBride and Jack Ingram hit from downtown.

Tuesday night – with the Illini lead down to five – Luther Head hit two threes, plus a fast break dunk to give Illinois a 13-point lead.

To top it off, Illinois didn’t miss its next nine shots.

So much for the Spartans slaying the unbeaten.

If the last two weeks haven’t shown you Illinois can win in any situation, I don’t know what you have been watching.

The wins at Wisconsin and Michigan State have been the most impressive of the season.

Illinois should beat a non-conference team at home – even if they are No. 1. Same with two other Top 25 teams on neutral courts.

Illinois should lose on the road in conference. It is part of college basketball.

But with Illinois surviving the Wisconsin-Michigan State gauntlet, who else can beat Illinois on the road?

Iowa or Michigan? Not with its stars suspended – or possibly suspended – because of domestic violence incidents.

Penn State? They played Illinois tough last year – a close 66-58 Illini win – but this isn’t last year’s Illini.

Ohio State? This will be the tough one. It’s the last game of the year. Ohio State does not have any NCAA Tournament hopes this year.

Playing an undefeated team would be the Buckeye’s title game.

Illinois should win at home. Every game. Even when Wisconsin comes to town.

But there could still be one game left where a team will play beyond its abilities. Illinois may miss a few shots, too.

It will look a lot like the Iowa game that went to overtime.

These games pop up more than once for the top teams every year.

The Illini are capable of surviving a scare though. They did beat Iowa. They look like a champion, even if they aren’t playing well.

To start the game Tuesday, Illinois played hot potato with the basketball. The ball bounced everywhere and shots went up once the Illini crossed half court.

Illinois didn’t let the Spartans score and built a lead.

Michigan State was the first team all year to consistently get past Illinois’ trapping defense. And Paul Davis had a big first half.

Bruce Weber countered. He stopped trapping. Illinois built a bigger second half lead. And Davis didn’t do much in the second half.

Whatever it takes to get another win.

And another and another. And then talk will turn away from 30-0 to 39-0.

But one objective at a time.

With a team that refuses to lose, maybe this shouldn’t be so hush-hush.