Indiana State’s Robbie Avila (left), wearing his distinctive goggles, guards Belmont’s Brigham Rodgers. Photo courtesy of Belmont University.

Looking at the week ahead while wondering where one can purchase the type of goggles Indiana State’s Robbie Avila wears:

Belmont

It will be the most important home game of the season for Belmont this Wednesday night.

Led by a pair of unusual players (Avila and Isaiah Swope), Indiana State, the leader in the Missouri Valley Conference, will be at Curb Center for a 6:30 p.m. tipoff.

The Sycamores are 18-3 and are known for a high-speed, three-point oriented offense. They have compiled some fantastic statistics and are among the national leaders in several categories:

Effective field goal percentage: No. 1 at 61.4

Three-point field goal percentage: No. 1 at 41.0

Field goal percentage: No. 3 at 51.1

Points per game: No. 5 at 86.3

Three-pointers attempted per game: No 15 at 28.7

Free throw percentage: No. 13at 77.7 (Plus, they’ve made as many free throws (336) as their opponents have attempted).

Assists per game, No. 15 at 17.7

And most importantly, winning percentage: No. 8 at 85.7.

Avila is a lumpy 6-10, 240, but is a magician in the low post while also versatile enough to hit a few three-pointers. And his passing isn’t exclusive to finding three-pointer shooters; he possesses a unique knack for finding teammates just a foot away under the basket for dunks and layups.

“The things he can do with the ball in his hands are phenomenal,’’ said Belmont coach Casey Alexander. “Really impressive how instinctively he plays.’’

Swoope is 5-10, a height usually reserved for point guards. He was first-team all-Ohio Valley Conference last season at Southern Indiana. Now, he averages 18.4 ppg and is an explosive offensive player as evidenced when he hit six straight three-pointers against Belmont when the Sycamores crushed the Bruins 94-64 earlier this season.

“Obviously, they’re a tremendous team,’’ said  Alexander. “It’s impressive to see what they’ve done through the course of the season. We played them just a few weeks ago and it was our lowest point in the season. It’s a real challenge.

“When you’re playing a team the quality of Indiana State, you have to be at your best. First thing we have to control is our approach to the game and how we go about our business. That’s the only formula for winning.’’

The Sycamores’ three losses were all tough road games against Alabama, Michigan State and Drake. And they are more than a two-man team.

A Belmont victory could change the direction of the season. The Bruins, however, will most likely be without injured point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie. “He’s making progress, I expect we’ll have him back relatively soon,’’ said Alexander.

Tennessee State

Similarly to Belmont, Tennessee will be facing a league-leader it already lost to by a big margin.

The Tigers (12-9, 5-3) lost to OVC leader Morehead State 78-68 on Jan. 6 and will look to reverse that at the Gentry Center Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. They’ve won four in a row including road games at Western and Eastern Illinois.

Just like Belmont, a victory could be a season changer. The Tigers also host Southern Indiana Saturday at 3 p.m.

Lipscomb

After splitting two road games in split personality fashion last week, Lipscomb (13-9, 4-3) will be at North Florida (12-10, 5-2) Wednesday. The Ospreys play only one way: Fire away from the arc. They shoot more three-pointers than any team in the country. The Bisons will be home Saturday against Jacksonville at 4 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

Coach Nick McDevitt hopes his team’s improved offensive effort continues when the Blue Raiders (8-13, 2-4) play at Western Kentucky (14-6, 3-3) Saturday at 7.

Vanderbilt

It will be a challenge for the Commodores (5-14, 0-6) to end their six-game losing streak Wednesday night at Auburn (16-4, 5-2) but there’s a big chance when Missouri (8-12, 0-7) comes to Memorial Gymnasium Saturday at 2:30 p.m.