VILLANOVA, Pa. - Former Villanova guard Mike Daly died suddenly on Monday at the age of 65.

Daly came to Villanova in 1968 after starring at nearby Cardinal O'Hara High School. He played three varsity seasons for the Wildcats, most notably as a part of the 1971 Villanova squad coached by Jack Kraft that advanced to the NCAA Final before losing to UCLA 68-62 at the Houston Astrodome. That squad, which included such standouts as All-American Howard Porter, Clarence Smith, Chris Ford, Tom Inglesby, Hank Siemiontkowski, Ed Hastings, and Joe McDowell, forged a close bond that endures to this day.

After graduating in 1972, Daly remained close to the program and the men he played alongside while building a successful business career in the Delaware Valley.

"Mike Daly was one of the most loyal and passionate Villanova Basketball fans of all-time," stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. "He took great pride in having played at Villanova and worked to keep all the former players connected to the program today.

"We will miss Mike as a great Villanovan and our basketball program will miss him as our one of our most beloved ambassadors."