March Madness: Michigan GOP lawmaker posts ‘illegal invaders’ land at airport, but it was Gonzaga

Michigan State Rep. Matt Maddock (R) Matt Maddock posted to social media Wednesday that he had photo evidence of “illegal invaders” arriving at Detroit Metro Airport.

As it turns out, it was the Gonzaga basketball team arriving for the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

“Happening right now,” Maddock posted on “X,” the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “Three busses just loaded up with illegal invaders at Detroit Metro. Anyone have any idea where they’re headed with their police escort?”

One of the photos showed an Allegiant Air plane, while the other showed three buses.

Gonzaga is at the Sweet 16 for the nation-leading ninth straight year.

“The four men’s basketball teams competing in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 at Little Caesars Arena arrived at DTW Wednesday evening. The buses seen in a photograph circulating online were transporting the basketball teams and their respective staffs,” the Wayne County Airport Authority, which operates the Detroit Metro Airport, said in an email to CNN on Thursday.

Barrett Henderson, Gonzaga University’s assistant athletic director for communications, confirmed to CNN on Thursday that the team flew on an Allegiant plane and boarded buses.

In addition, an Allegiant spokesperson said Thursday that the Gonzaga charter flight was the only one scheduled to land at the Detroit airport on Wednesday.

Maddock doubled down on Thursday, posting to X.

“We know this is happening,” he said. “100,000′s of illegals are pouring into our country. We know it’s happening in Michigan. Our own governor is offering money to take them in! Since we can’t trust the #FakeNews to investigate, citizens will. The process of investigating these issues takes time.”

The Zags face Purdue on Friday. In fact, twice over the past 16 months, the Zags have faced Zach Edey and Purdue, and twice they have lost by double digits.

Gonzaga’s third try at toppling the big man comes in the Sweet 16. The winner will face either Creighton or Tennessee with a trip to the Final Four at stake.