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Artwork for 5 Star Zone

5 Star Zone with Rico Beard and Harold Shelton

Audacy
Big Ten
Michigan State
Michigan
NCAA Tournament
Michigan Wolverines
Ohio State
College Football
Purdue
Big Ten Conference
Michigan State Spartans
NCAA
Indiana
Michigan State Basketball
Illinois
Michigan State University
Penn State
University Of Michigan
Oregon
College Football Playoffs
UCLA

Join Rico Beard from the Valenti Show and Harold Shelton as they break down all the hottest action in college sports every week.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes593Founded5 years ago
Category
Sports

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Artwork for 5 Star Zone

Latest Episodes

The Big Ten has Illinois and Michigan in the Final Four, is this the year the Big Ten gets another Natty? Rico Beard takes a look at both Final Four matchups and what needs to happen for both teams to get victories. Download the latest episode of the... more

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Michigan State's season came to an end in the Sweet Sixteen against UConn. Rico Beard talks through what is next for the Spartans and the answer might not make every Spartan fan happy. Download the latest episode of the 5 Star Zone today.

YouTube

With six teams from the Big Ten in the Sweet Sixteen with one guaranteed a spot in the Elite Eight, Rico previews the 5 matchups. How many teams do you believe will make the Elite Eight? Download the latest episode of the 5 Star Zone today.

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Rico reacts to the good and the bad of the Big Ten in day one of NCAA Tournament action. There was plenty of the good, bad and everything in between. Download the latest episode of the 5 Star Zone today.

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Recent Guests

Joe Rexrode
Writer for The Athletic
The Athletic
Episode: Big Ten Week 7 Recap And Joe Rexrode On Franklin Firing [FULL EPISODE] | 5 Star Zone with Rico Beard
Harold Shelton
Senior Research Manager at the Big 10 Network.
Big 10 Network
Episode: A Top 5 Matchup And Coaching Hot Seats | Week 7 Preview [FULL EPISODE] | 5 Star Zone with Rico Beard
Brett Ciancia
Expert from Pick Six Preview
Pick Six Preview
Episode: Big 10 Preview With Pick Six Preview's Brett Ciancia [FULL EPISODE] | Cash the Ticket
Brandon Brown
Publisher of the Wolverine Digest
Wolverine Digest
Episode: Who Is Michigan's Next QB? | 5 Star Zone with Rico Beard
Dave Softy Mahler
Sports radio host at KJR in Seattle
KJR Seattle
Episode: Michigan Vs Washington | National Title Preview [FULL EPISODE] | 5 Star Zone with Rico Beard
Dave Softy
Sports radio personality from KJR in Seattle
KJR
Episode: Why Michigan Or Washington State Wins | 5 Star Zone with Rico Beard
Jonathan Smith
Head football coach at Michigan State
Michigan State University
Episode: Florida State, Jonathan Smith And Signing Day [FULL EPISODE] | 5 Star Zone with Rico Beard

Host

Rico Beard
Host of The Five Star Zone / 5 Star Zone; affiliated with The Valenti Show and multiple 5 Star Zone iterations.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 188 ratings
  • Great pod

    Love the pod. Great content.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GarthInEL
    United Statesa year ago
  • Too short half is commercials

    Love Rico, he’s the man. But I can’t get behind a 20 minute podcast with roughly 6 minutes of ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    GoWings15
    United States2 years ago
  • Weird format

    Why is it split up into 3 minute segments? And why do ads just randomly come on right in the middle of when Rico is talking? Such a strange podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    thewhitewhale11
    United States2 years ago
  • Thumbs up

    Love the pod love the msu deep dives keep it up Rocky lol

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jsjdbrcrhdbfvdnsjbf
    United States3 years ago
  • 🛎️

    Great basketball and football insight from local Detroiter and Spartan RL Beard😂👊🏽🙌🏾

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MDubs'76
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Ads timing and placement are a frequent point of contention for some listeners.
The host delivers strong opinions and insider-like perspectives on college sports.
Listeners appreciate the deep Big Ten analysis and clear, confident hosting.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Big Ten Week 7 Recap And Joe Rexrode On Franklin Firing [FULL EPISODE] | 5 Star Zone with Rico Beard
Q: What are the immediate coaching changes expected at other Big Ten schools like Wisconsin and Michigan State?
Joe indicates that Wisconsin's coach Luke Fickel seems unlikely to survive given the poor performance, while Michigan State's Jonathan Smith is under pressure too, but it's too early to determine his fate.
Big Ten Week 7 Recap And Joe Rexrode On Franklin Firing [FULL EPISODE] | 5 Star Zone with Rico Beard
Q: What were the implications of James Franklin's firing at Penn State?
Joe Rexrode discusses the long-standing issues in Franklin's tenure and the shocking nature of the firing, emphasizing how it signifies that Penn State values winning games over financial considerations.
Florida State, Jonathan Smith And Signing Day [FULL EPISODE] | 5 Star Zone with Rico Beard
Q: How does the approach to rebuilding differ when coming to Michigan State compared to Oregon State?
Smith compares his experiences, considering the different dynamics such as NIL and the transfer portal now being in place, which allows for quicker roster changes and enhancements.
Big 10 Week 14 Preview [FULL EPISODE] | 5 Star Zone with Rico Beard
Q: What are the key factors for the upcoming Michigan vs. Ohio State game?
It's all about the line of scrimmage, Michigan's ability to control the game there, and how Ohio State responds to that pressure.
Jim Harbaugh Steals Another Michigan Coach But Should Be Hailed Not Criticized | 'The Daily Ticket'
Q: Was it worth it for Michigan to have Jim Harbaugh as a coach?
Riger strongly affirms that it was worth it to have Harbaugh, emphasizing the success he brought to the program, despite the current turmoil after his departure.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About 5 Star Zone

What is 5 Star Zone about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two hosts deliver deep dives into college sports, with a strong focus on Big Ten basketball and football, tournament implications, and team-by-team breakdowns. Episodes mix tactical analysis, player highlights, and brackets projections, often weaving in recruiting notes and conference-wide storylines. A recurring strength is clear, opinionated takes on conference rivals, coaching changes, and postseason chances, making it valuable for listeners who want fast-paced, opinionated coverage with actionable takeaways for fans, teams, and brands aligned with college athletics.

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How many listeners does 5 Star Zone get?

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What are the audience demographics for 5 Star Zone?

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To see how many followers or subscribers 5 Star Zone has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of 5 Star Zone are there?

5 Star Zone launched 5 years ago and published 593 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact 5 Star Zone?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for 5 Star Zone?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for 5 Star Zone from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on 5 Star Zone?

Recent guests on 5 Star Zone include:

1. Joe Rexrode
2. Harold Shelton
3. Brett Ciancia
4. Brandon Brown
5. Dave Softy Mahler
6. Dave Softy
7. Jonathan Smith

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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