The more I read about the new ladder system, the more I like the way they're headed. My opinion on that may change once I've actually been in it. As for now I'm really looking forward to it.
Meh, I go into ranked assuming that I'll be on a team with some window lickers. I just focus on my play. Otherwise I don't see it as anything more than a normal draft game.
I do not even play with randoms anymore. At least when my friends do stupid shit I can yell at them and not have to care =P