Oumar Ballo offered a dose of perspective for Indiana fans after the Hoosiers’ 72-59 loss to Oregon on Thursday in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.

“At the end of the day, we are human beings. We have feelings, you know. Just like you, you wake up, go to work, and someone is wishing nothing but the worst to you and your work,” Ballo said after the game. “It’s mentally draining, and nobody wants to deal with that for a whole five-month season.”

Ballo, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, was held to 8 points and 8 rebounds for the day. It was a difficult end to what’s been a tough season for the Hoosiers, who fell to 19-13 and already saw Mike Woodson announce his intentions to step down from the program after the season.

Regardless of the high expectations of Hoosier fans — Indiana will miss the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season — Ballo had a message for those that take things overboard.

“It’s too much to take in for players and for coaches. And I hope they change,” he said. “They’re not helping us, they’re not helping anybody. If you’re not cheering for us, just leave us alone, because at some point, you have a life. … We lose one game, two games, the next thing you know, your DM is crazy.”