Francis Is Mr. Blue-Collar for Dominguez Hills : Basketball: Center does a journeyman job inside for Toros, stopping opponents’ big men and grabbing rebounds.

Norm Francis glanced at the business card of a reporter who covers the Cal State Dominguez Hills basketball team.

“What did you say your name was?” he asked, explaining that he doesn’t read newspaper accounts of the team.

Later, when asked if he could meet a photographer at the university sports information office, he chose, instead, more familiar surroundings, the athletic training room. Nor did not he recognize the name of Kevin Gilmore, the university sports information director who publicizes the team.

That typifies Francis, the Toros’ starting center who is described by teammates as reserved. Nonetheless, he is making quite an impression in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. with his defense.

“Norm’s a quiet guy that gets in and just gets the job done,” senior guard Robert Barksdale said.

Three times this season he has slowed or stopped two of the leading scorers in the CCAA. And in two games this weekend--tonight against visiting Cal State Los Angeles at 8:05 and Saturday at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo--he will again be called on to shut off the base line against formidable opponents.

Against Los Angeles, Francis, who didn’t start playing basketball until he was a freshman at Fairfax High, will confront an assortment of post-crashing shooters.

Against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he will square up against the only man he has been unable to stop all season, senior center Stuart Thomas.

Through it all, Francis will remain his cool, collected self.

“He’s very mechanical in his play,” Coach Dave Yanai said. “He does what he is asked to do.”

On a team with three Division I transfers that has failed to live up to preseason expectations, Francis has been a pillar of consistency. Only Barksdale (17) has started more games than Francis (16).

“Norm’s a nice guy,” Yanai said. “He doesn’t show a lot of emotion. Basketball is kind of a hobby with him. It’s not something that consumes him.”

Francis is more apt to show emotion at a Bible study class or when he is singing in a choir with his sister, Sabrina.

But on the basketball court, his defense can consume opponents. Last week, he held Chapman’s Roger Middleton, who is averaging 20.3 points, to only three in a 53-48 Toro victory. The night before, in the first game of a two-game series against Chapman, Francis was instrumental in the Toros holding Middleton to only 12.

“Defense is something I have always enjoyed,” said Francis, a sophomore. “I like stopping the opponent. My offense has improved, but I realize I am behind other players in that.”

Francis, who averages only 4.1 points, says he makes his offensive contributions in other ways.

“I’m best at freeing someone else up,” he said. He also grabs 4.6 rebounds a game.

With five games remaining in CCAA play, Dominguez Hills (14-8 overall, 3-4 in league play) is two games out of fourth place, the final spot for a CCAA tournament berth. It won’t be easy to get into the playoffs, Francis says.

“We’ve been on a roller coaster all year,” he said. “It seems we all show up for the Saturday games, but don’t quite put it together on Friday. We have the ability to take it all if we work consistently.”

As for his meeting against Thomas, Francis wasn’t pleased. He drew three quick fouls in the first half and saw little playing time after that. The 6-foot-9 Thomas scored a career high 34 points as San Luis Obispo won, 85-74.

San Luis Obispo (12-10, 4-3), which plays at Chapman tonight, is tied with Cal Poly Pomona for third place. Francis said that the Toros will have little chance to earn a postseason berth if they can’t defeat San Luis Obispo. He said the key to the season may come down to how he handles Thomas.

“He’s a good player, excellent in the post and my biggest challenge.” Francis said.