Creighton’s press was once known for its bulldog bite.

That hasn’t been the case in recent seasons. The bulldog has become more poodle-like in its effectiveness of disrupting opponents’ attacks.

That’s something the Bluejays appear intent on changing as they prepare for the upcoming season. Coach Dana Altman and his staff have stressed the need for Creighton to get more out of its press in order to have the success it would like to have this season.

“We’re going to have to play a certain way to be successful,’’ Altman said. “We’re going to have to really push the tempo offensively. We led the league in scoring last year and we want to play faster this year.

“It’s going to be a matter of defensively putting a little bite back into our press. I thought the last two years that we just haven’t had enough bite in our press. That needs to improve.’’

Creighton led the Missouri Valley Conference by averaging 73.3 points per game last season. The Bluejays also topped the league in forcing an average of 16.0 turnovers by opponents.

In spite of the latter statistic, fans watching Creighton in recent seasons might agree with Altman that the Bluejays’ press hasn’t been as effective as it was in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the tactic helped establish the foundation for the program. That’s been especially true in conference games as Valley opponents have come up with a variety of ways to combat the Bluejays’ pressure.

Aggressiveness has been something Altman has stressed this season in preseason practice.

“Guys have to expend a little more energy when we’re in the press,’’ he said. “I think we’re quick enough to press. It has to be a big part of our team. A lot of it comes down to the approach and a lot of it is the front guy on the press.

“A lot of it is making sure that first trap gets set. That’s something we’ve put a lot of emphasis on.’’

Normally, the player who is at the power forward spot is the point man on the press. It’s his job to try to initially disrupt the inbounds pass. If the ball is entered into either corner, he must then close hard and help set a trap that can result in a quick turnover or a bad pass.

“Coach likes to tell this story about how they were getting blown out in a game a couple of years ago,’’ said Wayne Runnels, a newcomer who will fill the point man’s spot when he’s on the floor. “Chad (Millard) got a tip and a layup, and that turned the game around.

“Coach has really stressed that because it can be a game-changer.’’

The incident Runnels was referring to came in the season opener in 2007 against DePaul. Creighton had fallen behind 25-21 early in the game before going on an 11-point run to get itself back in the game.

The final five points in the run came when Millard nailed a 3-point shot, then swiped an inbounds pass and scored on a layup. Creighton went on to score a 74-62 victory over the Blue Demons.

“A turnover here, a turnover there, and all of a sudden a team can have a lot of confidence,’’ Runnels said. “Having some success with the press is vital to this team’s confidence.’’

The Bluejays’ lack of height compounds the need for the press to be effective. Creighton has just three players on its roster 6 foot 8 or taller, and one — the 6-8 Millard — has yet to practice because of a foot injury.

What the Bluejays do have is plenty of bodies to throw at opponents. One of the strengths of this season’s team should be its depth, especially on the perimeter. Competition for playing time has been intense in practice.

“Coach has told us that we’re going to be running more and pressing more,’’ forward Justin Carter said. “Defensively, we have to be more active. We have to try to get hands on the ball. We just have to get up and do a better job of guarding all over the court.’’

Carter, for one, is ready to do whatever it takes to make Creighton’s press more effective.

“I see myself as a leader, especially when I’m on the ball,’’ he said. “That’s the guy that sets the tone. If he can get a hand on the ball or set the trap, it gives us something to feed off. I want to be that guy.’’

Contact the writer:

679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com